More than 1500 entries were received for the three-day event at the Armidale Showground.

“It was fantastic,” organiser Ian Watson said.

“The whole weekend went really well.

“There were over 1500 runs over the weekend, so that’s a big draft.”

The action kicked off at 7am on Friday morning and wrapped up at 7pm on Sunday evening, with a hectic full slate in between.

Riders came from as far as Western Australia, Northern Territory, Victoria and northern Queensland for the highly regarded camp draft, joining hundreds of other from across NSW and southern Queensland.

“It’s great for the town and the local economy to have some many visitors here,” Watson said.

Local riders had a terrific weekend, highlighted by Tom Armytage’s win in the $5000 Royal Hotel novice draft.

Armidale girl Ally Watson took out the junior draft, while Guyra rider Lachie Secombe was second in the open draft and Armidale 

local Karen Morris won the encouragement draft.

“There were some great performances from the local perspective,” Watson said.

Watson also paid tribute to the many cattle donors over the weekend. “Without them the draft wouldn’t happen,” he said.

“We would like to thank Tony Menkens, Rob Finlayson, Bob Menzies, Jock Weston, Rob and Kelly Lameroux, Norm Armstrong, Peter Brown, Gavin Strelitz and Jim Moar.”

Money raised from the weekend will be donated to charities Can Assist and St John’s Ambulance.