Some of the best cowboys and cowgirls will travel from as far as North Queensland and Western Australia to compete in the ABCRA National Finals in Tamworth next week.
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While the campdraft event has been cancelled due to difficulties sourcing livestock and climatic conditions such as drought and fire, the remaining rodeo and ranch sorting competitions will go ahead as normal.
More than 100 entrants will compete in the main rodeo program with the equivalent number nominated for the junior rodeo competitions.
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ABCRA executive officer Craig Young said patrons would be treated to some of the best action to be seen on the Australian rodeo circuit.
"We have got the best riders and the best bucking stock that you will see in the country from a number of our contractors," he said.
"They are riding for the title or the prize at the end of the full 12 month competition to be able to be regarded as the best in their sport."
Gerard Oversby looks virtually unbeatable in taking out the All Round Cowboy title while the All Round Cowgirl award will be tightly contested between some of the best females.
The ABCRA has been running for 74 years but this January will be the first in its history that no affiliated events will be run other than the National Finals.
Mr Young said droughts and fires had caused a number of events to cancel this month.
"One thing we can't do is make it rain, that's the one uncontrollable factor and without drought breaking rains a lot of the events that particularly utilise livestock will have to park for a period of time," he said.
"We are looking at running other different types of events to offer an opportunity (for competitors) to still enjoy their sports and being a member of ABCRA."
The ABCRA National Finals will be held in Tamworth kicking off from 8am on January 24 and running until January 26 featuring rodeo and ranch sorting events.
