The Legacy Lives On: Meet “Tradition”, Campdrafting’s Next Great Stallion.
In the world of campdrafting, where precision meets speed and agility, breeding is crucial. Few names are as significant in this sport as Tradition.
This impressive stallion is not merely the product of champion lineage – he embodies the spirit of those champions. His bloodline is deeply anchored in the foundations of the sport, making him a true representation of excellence in campdrafting. As breeders and riders look for the next generation of talent, eyes turn to the stallion whose name says it all.
An unassuming brown stallion, he isn’t flashy, but Tradition turns heads. He is beautifully put together, calm and, most importantly, possesses the perfect combination of the best traits of his predecessors.
Owner John Mulcahy couldn’t be happier with the young stallion. If he could have ordered the ideal horse, it would cut out like Gest An Acre and run outside like TKO. Incredibly, this is precisely what he got in Tradition.
Sire, Gest An Acre (now deceased) was known as a fabulous cut-out horse. He won 15 campdrafts, including many Opens and Ladies. Gest An Acre had an incredible temperament that has passed on to his progeny, many of whom have made great family campdraft horses.
Dam, Stratton TKO is a Stock Horse mare with an incredible record. She won a campdraft at her first start – the Maiden at Injune, with two 88s. Her next win was a Restricted Open. She was a top mare right through her career and retired at 22, with her final run at Warwick scoring 91 points. TKO got her name from her Dam, Busters Knockout – carrying on the boxing theme. Knockout was kicked as a foal and knocked out, resulting in impaired vision.
TKO was fast and agile, and her ability to rate cattle led her to many wins, including Warwick Champion of Champions, Condamine Bell, Chinchilla Grandfather Clock, Nutrien Classic Young Guns, and the Warwick JHS Barnes Trophy. Every horse TKO has bred that has started so far (as at 2025) has won or placed in campdrafts.
TKO goes back to Yebna Buster, who John also bred. He won nine campdrafts, including the 1987 Condamine Bell, and produced ACA Champions. Buster is featured in the book Forty-Two Years of Elite Campdraft Breeding.
Tradition truly is the culmination of careful breeding and impeccable performance genetics. He has been easy from the start, and John says he feels confident whenever he steps on him. He has pace and gets to his cattle easily, but like his sire, he is also strong in the camp – making him an exceptional all-rounder.
