STOCK Horse lovers from around Australia are set to battle it out at AELEC over the next 10 days during the annual Australian Stock Horse Society national show.
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Featuring disciplines such as dressage, hack and campdraft, riders will be competing for pride and a share of a $180,000 prize pool.
Action will not be restricted to just the arena floor as the event will also play host to the annual two-year-old and yearling horse sale on Saturday.
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Society member Craig Young said the event was growing every year.
"There's really no other event like this one we have here at AELEC," Young said.
"We have people coming from as far away as South Australia, Western Australia and Victoria to take part in one of the many things we have on offer.
"I think it just goes to show the popularity and versatility of stock horses in Australia."
With drought conditions affecting much of the state, Young said it had been difficult to source cattle for the show's campdraft events.
"Mate it has been bloody tough," he said.
"It has been a bit of an up and down process but we have been lucky to secure plenty of cattle for the events.
"In fact most of them are from the around the region including Walcha, Gunnedah and Breeza, which is fantastic."
The show will run until March 9, with the official opening to be celebrated with a gala dinner on Saturday night. "There will be live entertainment and plenty of fun for everyone at the gala dinner," Young said.
"On the night there will also be a charity auction with proceeds going to Dolly's Dream.
"It's a fantastic cause and always a great night, so hopefully it should be a lot of fun."
- The show will run from February 28 to March 9 with free entry for visitors.