And she found that dream – either in the shape of fellow drafter and now husband Tim Hollis, or the standard of competition she found in her favourite sport when she hit the outskirts of Tamworth.

And she hasn’t looked back.

Since their meeting at a campdraft in Tamworth, the duo has travelled many kilometres around the country – whenever work permitted – with their truckload of horses.

And this weekend they will unload “half a dozen” to contest the two-day Australian Bushmen’s Campdraft & Rodeo Association (ABCRA)-affiliated Bendemeer campdraft, an event Tim has been competing in for two decades.

The campdraft makes up part of the huge program for this weekend’s rodeo, held annually on the banks of the Macdonald River.

Tim, operations manager with Tamworth Regional Livestock Exchange (formerly Tamworth Saleyards), has competed on just about every campdraft arena across New South Wales and Queensland and can boast placings in the prestigious Warwick Gold Cup and winning the just-as-prestigious World Championship Draft at Sydney Royal.

But he openly admits to looking forward to pulling his boots on for the annual Bendemeer decider.

He’ll line up in the maiden, novice and open while Amanda, who can lay claim to a Champion Lady Rider of Western Australia title, will ride in the ladies and open events.

“It’s a great weekend. I’ve been going there since I was a kid,” Tim said.

“There’s just something about it.

“It’s a great locality because it’s on the river – a perfect setting for an event like this.

“It’s a very good atmosphere too. Having the rodeo run alongside it adds to that atmosphere.

“People even stand up on the highway to get a look.

“And if you get into the right position you can see what’s going on in both arenas – watch them both at the same time.”

Campdraft, featuring the Ken Osborne Memorial Novice Campdraft, kicks off today and tomorrow at 6.30am, while the rodeo action gets underway – under lights – following tonight’s 6pm grand entry.

Feature on the night will be the Peter Jenner Memorial Saddlebronc, which has drawn some of the top riders on the ABCRA circuit.

Defending champion Carl Green of Walcha may need to have his mind right on the job if he is to hold out recently-crowned National Finals saddlebronc champ, Luke Morgan.