A biting wind may have discouraged a few spectators at the Barcaldine Show on Saturday but it was outshone by the enthusiasm of participants on the day.
President Ben Chandler complimented those showing up to compete, saying he was proud of what they had achieved under incredibly difficult conditions.
"What you see here today is an indication of what this country can do in tough times," he said. "I'm proud to run the ship in such circumstances."
Before the show was opened by the Member for Gregory Lachlan Millar, visitors got to see campdrafting and barrel racing happen at the show for the first time.
Tom Gleeson explained that in the absence of the stockman's challenge and commercial cattle competitions, but with the offer of good strong cattle from Stuart Speed and Bec Ross at North Delta, it had filled a void for people.
There were 111 novice drafters, 13 in the junior draft and 30 nominating to barrel race.
Honours went to Bruno Delandelles and Black Ant, with Benn Macintosh and Rocky Acres second.
Equal third were Tom Gleeson on Stylish Destiny, Tom Gleeson on Pistol and Pearls, and Des Cuffe riding Richi Rich.
Exhibitors from Barcaldine, Blackall, Isisford and Stonehenge competed in the flock ewe competition and it was a new face, Leichhardt, managed by Matt Landers for Russell Rostron, Alpha that showed the champion pen of lambs, based on Barcaldine Downs bloodlines.
The Chandler family, Oma, Isisford had the grand champion and reserve grand champion pens while Barr's Gully won the prize for best local pen, plus the aggregate points trophy.
A small number of local fleeces was boosted once again by the central west aggregation.
Shane and Amanda Jones, Padua, Ilfracombe had the champion flock fleece while Barcaldine Downs showed the grand champion fleece of the show.