Campdrafting is the fastest growing equine sport in Australia, with more than 15,000 competitors across the country. The history of campdrafting is derived from a stockman out at camp, without the use of yards, ‘cutting out’ a beast from the herd for ‘drafting’ the cattle in to classified mobs, such as cows, steers and heifers. This is how the term ‘Campdrafting’ was coined. This led to stockman from different stations coming together to compete against each other to determine who was the best stockman in regard to drafting cattle out of the camp on horseback. It is widely regarded and known ‘Australian’s Own Horse Sport’. Today, a campdraft competitor is judged on three components of their run. The ‘cut out’ is judged on the effectiveness and eloquence of cutting a beast from the mob, while horse work and course are judged on how the beast is guided around the pattern of pegs in the outside course.

Australian Campdraft Association Incorporated, ‘ACA’, is a not for profit organisation and one of the largest campdraft associations in the country. Since its inception in 1972, ACA’s core objects have been:

– To promote the sport of campdrafting throughout Australia, increase recognition of the sport, and create spectator interest. To assist all affiliated committees in promoting competitive, safe campdrafts. – To keep a register of all horses that compete with the Association. – Award high point riders as ‘Champion of the Year’. – Appoint experienced and qualified judges.  In the pursuit of achieving those objects, in 2024 ACA: – Affiliated 15 educational clinics across the country, promoting advancement in the sport and animal welfare. – Affiliated 170 campdrafts from Western Australia to Northern north Queensland. – Presented over 600 awards for National and Zone titles. – Added 44 more judges to the current panel of over 800.

Each committee that hosts a campdraft across Australia is run by volunteers, who donate their time, experience and resources to keep the sport alive and thriving. Without so many dedicated and generous volunteers, campdrafting as we know it would not exist.  The first President of ACA, Ashley McKay, served from 1972 – 1982, with his wife Doris McKay also serving as secretary for 10 years. ACA’s first official office was located in Roma, Queensland until the move to Toowoomba in 2023. 2025 has been a historic year for ACA, welcoming for the first time in its history two female Vice Presidents, Kay Radke and Tania Moorhead. 2025 also brought ACA’s first female treasurer, Shelley Curr, with Les Hopkins being appointed as the first male Operations Manager and Secretary.