Farmer News
1 May, 2026
The mini cut out
ANYWHERE else, a grown person running around an arena dressed in a costume and moo-ing like a cow might raise some eyebrows and have you calling for the straight jackets.
But on the campdraft circuit, ‘human cows’ are a new and welcome addition to events and do a very important job.
While kids aren’t allowed to compete in draft competitions until they are eight years old (for practical and safety purposes), there are plenty of little cowgirls and cowboys who are keen to be just like mum, dad and their older siblings.
At home, they practise doing just what the grown-ups do, when cutting out a beast in the camp, and over recent seasons campdraft organisers across the district have embraced the idea of encouraging and developing that enthusiasm for the sport.
Enter, the mini-cut out.
To keep the event fun and safe, a volunteer ‘cow’ in costume enters the camp, ducking and weaving, making a couple of runs for the back of the yard, just as a beast would in competition.
They’re up against a junior cowboy or cowgirl and their pony, whose job – just like the other drafts – is to work the beast to the top of the camp and keep it there.
Each little cowgirl or cowboy is given a cut out score, based on how well they control their crazy critter, just like the other drafts – sashes and prizes are awarded to the top cut out and place getters.
And it’s always a competition to see who has more fun – the junior riders or the ‘cows’!
