Campdrafts cancelled but rodeos ready to ride amid fuel crisis
Some of Australia’s biggest campdrafting events have been postponed due to the fuel crisis, but rodeo organisers say their events are yet to bite the dust.
One of the most highly-anticipated events on the national campdraft calendar has been postponed over concerns triggered by the Middle East war impacting fuel prices and supply.
In a statement posted to social media, the Australian Campdraft Association (ACA) announced the national finals – which are held about 15 kilometres outside Rockhampton in central Queensland – would not be held in late April, but moved to a later date.
“Uncertainty surrounding fuel cost and availability” were to blame, the post said.
The new date for the event, which has been held annually since 2003, is yet to be announced.
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Campdrafting is an Australian sport that involves manoeuvring cattle while on horseback.
Chris Webb from the the Australian Bushmen’s Campdraft and Rodeo Association (ABCRA) told InDaily while national championships – which also included the Gold Buckle Campdraft Championship at Willinga Park in NSW – had been postponed, local competitions were set to continue.
“We are obviously empathetic, but we haven’t postponed any of our events,” he said.
“We have a waitlist for our events and entries are still up.
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“It’s more the long-haul travel people who are trying to avoid [travelling] right now.”
The Australian Professional Rodeo Association (APRA) also said its Easter events would continue, despite “the current nation-wide fuel challenges that are impacting people and events alike”.
“The ‘Easter Run’ is one of the busiest times of year in Rodeo and is proceeding as usual,” a spokesperson said in a statement.
“We are aware of the evolving fuel situation, and are working to support our members and affiliated event committees, in navigating those challenges as they arise.”
Over the Easter long weekend, 11 APRA-affiliated Rodeo events are set to take place, including Roma’s Easter in the Country and Emerald Rodeo Association Easter Rodeo.
Taking to Facebook, Roma’s organisers assured patrons the festival was “definitely going ahead as planned”.
“We cannot wait to welcome all our visitors,” the post said.
Meanwhile, petrol and diesel costs across the nation will be slashed by 26.3 cents a litre from today as Labor moves to soften the worst effects of the conflict in the Middle East by reducing the fuel excise rate.
That equates to $10.50 on a small, 40-litre tank or $21 for Australia’s best-selling new vehicle – the Ford Ranger – which has an 80-litre tank.
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