Eastern Australia is suffering through one of the worst droughts in history and, as a result, campdrafting has also taken a hit.
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Much of the country’s campdrafters are farmers and finding cattle to use has been tough with many events around the state cancelled.
The annual Armidale Campdraft will go ahead on Friday, Saturday and Sunday but secretary Erica Coulthard said they have reduced the number of runs.
“First round runs would normally be about 1300 and we have 800,” she said.
“We always have loads of entries but we only have a limited number of cattle this year because of the drought.
“We would like to thank our cattle donors very much, they are doing everyone a great favour by loaning us cattle in this climate as it is.”
One of the biggest events on the sport’s calendar – the Landmark Classic – will be held in Tamworth next week and many entrants use the Armidale Campdraft to put the finishing touches on their horses on their way to the big event.
Coulthard said there are people travelling from interstate but they have tried to ensure locals get a run.
“We are very popular because everyone wants to come,” she said.
“We have tried to stick with our local people so they can support our sponsors whereas if you have all your people come from far away they are not going to support your sponsors.
“That was our first criteria but we do have a variety coming from Queensland and further away in NSW.”
The campdraft begins on Friday afternoon at 2pm and there will be bar running on Friday and Saturday nights.