![Abbie-Jane Lord, Rhodesleigh, Kingaroy astride her gelding Crozier's Conflict. PIcture Helen Walker. Abbie-Jane Lord, Rhodesleigh, Kingaroy astride her gelding Crozier's Conflict. PIcture Helen Walker.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/vXyWzAuHLGiLP638Y3entu/58f4e61a-609b-4ff9-a79d-f03da68596c4.JPG/r573_40_4440_3693_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
The countdown to the Australian Campdrafting Association national finals begins, as 250 competitors are setting up camp at the Cloncurry Equestrian Centre on the town's outskirts.
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The event will get underway on Wednesday, April 12 and run until Saturday, April 15.
Cloncurry Stockman's Challenge and Campdraft committee is hosting the 2023 event and committee secretary Kimberley Robertson said up to 3000 cattle will be trucked into the grounds over the next four days starting from Wednesday morning.
Kimberley said they were delighted to have met the criteria to host the finals and planning and raising sponsorship had been underway since August.
She said the cattle have been kindly donated by Paraway Pastoral Company, Coolneagh Pastoral Company and Cubbaroo Brahmans, and would be trucked into the grounds as required daily by Curley Livestock Transport.
Kimberley said to attract the cattle numbers, they work with the donors to capitalise on the movements of cattle that are being trucked off breeding properties into finishing country or feedlots in the south.
One competitor who is counting her sleeps to compete is 15 year-old Abbie-Jane Lord, from Rhodesleigh, Kingaroy.
Abbie-Jane has been campdrating since she was eight years old, and is passionate about the sport.
She said she is always looking forward to heading to a campdraft.
"I had great success at the national last year a Springsure and set my goal to finish in the goal in the top 10 national placings in the juvenile draft," Abbie-Jane said.
She is currently sitting in third position.
"I really am just focusing on doing the best I can do, and I take good advice from those who offer it," she said.
Abbie-Jane will compete in the novice, ladies and the juvenile campdrafts.
Proudly watching on will be her parents Murray and Bronwyn Lord, who have driven 1688 kilometres for her to compete.