Landmark moment for Willinga Park campdraft

The campdraft, which runs from May 16 to May 18, will be televised on the Seven Network, and is expected to be even richer in 2019.

Terry Snow wanted to give competitors, owners, and spectators a unique experience, and has offered $275,000 in prize money for this year's event.

Paul Comiskey, a competitor from Far North Queensland, won $132,000 as 2018's winner after driving more than four days to get to the competition.

"It's not going to be easy, there are plenty who want to knock me off the top," Comiskey said. 

"I've got a great team of horses and think I can win back-to-back!"

Campdrafting is a truly Australian sport that started when drovers, moving cattle along the roads, wanted to prove their horse skills.

Now, 100 years late, the sport has more than 16,000 registered members.

The recent drought has strangled a huge part of the cattle market, making it hard to source cattle for events. This has forced Willinga Park to purchase cattle from as far away as the western district of Victoria.

"We want to ensure we have the best cattle possible," Mr Snow said.

"To do so, we needed to look far and wide to find and purchase cattle and transport them to Willinga Park in time for the event in May."

More than 400 horses are expected to compete at the event, and there will be plenty of fun activities for families and people of all ages.

"The Willinga Park team is excited to see Australia's campdrafting fans," Mr Snow said. "We look forward to an amazing experience as the eyes of the campdrafting world are on Willinga Park."

Tickets are available online at willingapark.com.au.