Farmer News
1 October, 2026
Gates swing open on new campdraft season
THE 2026/27 Campdrafting season has begun.
All roads led to Swan Hill late last month where more than 200 competitors took part in the 2026 BR&C Agents Swan Hill Campdraft event.
Among the large group of riders keen to kick start the new season was Talbot’s David Murphy.
Somewhat of a ‘veteran’ of the sport at the age of 50, David has been “riding forever” – having entered his first competition as an eager eight year-old, keen to follow in his father’s boots.
“Dad Barry was also a big fan of campdrafting and he was pretty handy at it too,” David said.
“I started competing when I was about eight and haven’t missed a year since; I always aspired to being good enough to beat him at least once or twice a year and I’ve done that so that’s pretty satisfying.”
Having professionally trained and campaigned horses for the last 20 years, David confesses to having “ridden a few in my time.”
“Horses are magnificent,” he said. “And the excitement of campdrafting always lures me in. It’s a great sport that the whole family can take part in and enjoy; the atmosphere is amazing.
“Campdrafting died out a little into the 90s but over the last 15-20 years or so its popularity really has built back up again; nationally it’s grown out of sight and just continues to go from strength to strength.
“At one stage we had three generations of our family competing which was pretty cool, and I’m sure there’s many other families who can say the same – that’s one of the beauties of it.”
David was one of many stars in the saddle at the season opener in Swan Hill, taking out Sunday’s restricted open on ‘Pricetag’ and also recording the highest average score of 77.67 (which included six first-round runs).
“It (campdrafting) just gets in your blood,” he said.
“I’ll head up to Queensland this season and try my luck at the Warwick Gold Cup – it’s regarded the Melbourne Cup of campdrafting,
“I haven’t had much luck there yet but who knows? I’ll give it a crack.”
Results from the Swan Hill event can be found in Western District Farmer October edition flipbook