EXCITEMENT is building as the Merton Campdraft Club prepares for its first event at the Merton Recreation Reserve on the weekend of April 15 and 16 after what committee secretary Lisa Smith describes as "a long haul starting from scratch."

Nominations opened last Thursday, March 30, attracting strong entries for the advertised program.

Lisa agreed it was great for the Mansfield Shire to have three Southern Campdraft Association (SCA) affiliated campdrafts which reflect the growing popularity of the equestrian sport.

"As a club we applied for and were lucky enough to receive a grant from the Mansfield Shire (outlying communities infrastructure fund)," she said.

The Merton Campdraft Club appreciated the assistance from staff at the Mansfield Shire in preparing the application.

"This together with our sponsors plus our own fundraising, which includes the panel muster, a campdraft school and our first campdraft event held at Merrijig last year has seen us raise enough money to get started," said Lisa.

"I say we have a small but mighty committee that all works together well to achieve our goals," she added.

Since mid–January, the committee has been running a working bee nearly every Saturday.

Work includes the installation of the permanent infrastructure of the camp, cattle yards and loading race behind the camp.

Lisa said the new infrastructure is also suitable for many disciplines, such as cutting, reining, team penning and dog trials.

"Our club has also purchased most of the required panels for the outside arena."

Lisa stressed that as an affiliate of the SCA, the Merton Campdraft needs to comply with a code of conduct for the care and treatment of campdraft livestock.

"There are several conditions that we have to comply with to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the cattle and the horses," she said.

In addition, SCA directors are present over the competition's weekend to ensure compliance.

"The SCA has been so supportive of our club, they are always available and have advised and helped us in many ways."

Lisa explained, "They are important because of insurance and also that the sport is monitored and regulated."

She added, "Our club has also received a huge amount of support from Mansfield and Merrijig Campdraft Clubs and also McCormack Park."

"We are expecting to fill entries and we are aiming to run 500 first round runs plus finals; the eight run limit is common now as I think it makes the event for everyone whether you have one horse or ten," Lisa said.

The committee acknowledges the contribution of cattle donors who make it possible to run the event.

"We are extremely lucky and grateful to have the Fox family on board as our major cattle donors."

The Alan Fox Memorial Novice Draft will again be the final feature event on Sunday.

The support of major sponsors Oakdale Meat Co. and Elders who have signed up this year is greatly appreciated.

"The panel muster is also going well and we still have some camp and arena panels left, for $500 you get your family or business name on a plaque on the camp panel or $120 for an arena panel," said Lisa.

A keen advocate of campdrafting, Lisa said it is a great sport because it is for the whole family, with events over the weekend for all levels, ages and abilities.

"The whole family gets to go away together and connect and compete with friends and have a great time doing what we love."

Another dimension to the event is the community involvement of the Merton Cricket Club and the Merton Race Club, which will run the bar and catering over the weekend.

Lisa also acknowledged the great support and encouragement from the Merton Recreation Reserve Committee, who got on board with the Merton Campdraft event since the beginning.

The campdraft committee wants to thank the many local people and businesses such as Merton Mini Mix, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Alexandra, Salon No. 4 Mansfield, Cavequine, Animal Naturopathics, Herbal Extracts and Consultations, and all the families as listed on their Facebook page who have contributed to their club.

Updates on the forthcoming event can be found on social media, and everyone is welcome at Merton Recreation Reserve over the weekend.