ARMIDALE-based cowboy David Rice will be among competitors from across the eastern seaboard hitting town tomorrow and Sunday for the Australian Bushman’s Campdraft and Rodeo Association’s (ABCRA) NSW State Championships.

The Armidale event is one of the last rodeos on the circuit where competitors can accumulate points to qualify for the national finals, to be held in Tamworth in January.

The event will be Armidale’s 18th annual rodeo, with competition kicking off at the Armidale Showground from 2pm tomorrow.

For the die-hard fans who want to catch all the action, excess entries will compete from 9am.

Tomorrow’s program will include all the open events, including bull riding, bareback and bronco riding, steer wrestling, barrel racing and steer undecorating.

Roping competitors will also vie for the Matt Swadling Memorial Junior Breakaway trophy.

More than $13000 in prize money is on offer, and organisers are over the moon with the entries - more than 50 bull riders will compete and 35 have nominated in the bareback and bronc riding events.

St Albert’s and Robb college rugby teams will renew their rivalry in the steer riding challenge, after a successful first outing last year.

Sunday will see the NSW State Junior Championships take place, with three under 18 divisions contesting bull riding, steer riding, barrel racing and breakaway roping.

There will also be open team roping and barrel racing.

A barbecue will be available throughout the weekend, with the Lions Club also operating a canteen and cappuccino van, with a bar open until late (no BYO).

Admission tomorrow is $12 for adults and $6 for children under 12, with pre-schoolers admitted free.

Family tickets are available for $35.

Sunday’s prices are $5 for adults and $3 for children, with family passes $15.