Show Society secretary Kim Rhodes already has 600 entries for the weekend event happening at the showground on March 18 and 19. With keen campdrafters bringing a number of horses to compete with, this equates to around 130 riders, most of whom will be camping at the showground with their families and entourage.

“There’s been a huge response,” Mrs Rhodes said.

“Another big campdraft event that was supposed to be the same weekend at Fernvale has been cancelled, and we’re getting a big influx of riders from there.”

As the Tenterfield event is affiliated with the Australian Campdraft Association, she said competitors are keen to rack up the points.

“This is an important weekend on the campdrafting calendar,” she said.

It’s also important to the local economy, with all the visitors looking to eat, drink, shop and fuel up while they’re in town.

There are also a lot of local competitors, but while many of the events are nearing capacity there is still some room for more nominations in the juvenile and junior drafts, which attract a lot of attention.

“It’s the children that will bring the sport into the next millennium,” Mrs Rhodes said, “and there’s good prize money on offer.”

Tenterfield Pony Club is also conducting a sporting event in the lower ring on the Sunday, and the Show Society in turn will be supporting the upcoming Junior Campdraft, demonstrating a good working relationship between the two community groups.

Campdrafting is a great spectator sport, with the action starting at 7.30am on Saturday and 7am on Sunday. Catering will be available from under the grandstand and a barbecue and bar will operate on Saturday night with entertainment.