The Morundah Team Yarding event is back for its 15th year with nominations to participate officially opened on Monday this week.

In the past the event has drawn hundreds of people from all over the country to the small town of Morundah for a family fun weekend.

This year is looking to be no different with campers expected to start arriving on April 14 in anticipation for the events on the following days.

One of the organisers and yarding veteran Jim Boatwright, says the event has always been organised with the kids in mind and allows them to gain new skills.

“Going back to chasing dairy cows around and that sort of thing, it gives the kids a chance to get a few skills away from the pony clubs” Boatwright says.

“We encourage them as much as we can - if they make a mistake, when they come out I’ll usually say ‘come on fellas, come over here’ just to let them know what they might have done better or to say don’t do that next time

“We’ve always been very youngster orientated and it’s great to be able to keep Morundah on the map.”

The kids who don’t participate in the event often find themselves covered in the mud down at the lagoon and so it is a great weekend getaway idea for the family.

Although numbers of attendees fluctuate every year, the number of participants seem to remain with around 120 runs happening every event .

People of all ages regardless of whether they have kids attend the event to enjoy the atmosphere and the entertainment the event provides.

It is a free event for spectators unless they are nominating a team.

A team of three will cost $25 per day for Juniors and $55 per day for open ages. This fee will allow each team three runs per day over the course of the two days.

It will be held at the Morundah Recreation Ground which will be marked when coming into Morundah off the Hume Highway to ensure no one loses their way.

Camp Fires will be allowed at the camping grounds and Fish and Chips will also be on offer as well as hot showers.

Morundah Community Committee secretary Katie Urquhart said the Morundah event first took place in 2013 but was cancelled in 2021 due to COVID.

“The event will feature horses and riders cutting out selected cattle from the herd.

“Three riders have to work as a team to cut three cows with specific colours on them out of the herd of 30 cattle and get them into a pen as quickly as they can.

“It’s about horsemanship and respecting the animals and is really great to watch.”

The event usually attracts a large number of riders - a mixture of adults and children in a junior and an open event.

Competitors come from Wagga, Gundagai, Tumbarumba, Tarcutta, Coolamon, Lockhart, Narrandera, Leeton, Griffith, Barmedman, Wyalong, Cootamundra, Young, Deniliquin, Jerilderie. Victoria - Shepparton area, Chiltern, Myrtleford, Wahgunyah and Wodonga.”

A large herd of cattle is required for the event to be conducted.

“Many of our local farmers also support us with providing machinery and other expertise throughout the year,” Ms Urquhart said.

“We wouldn’t have the facilities we do without their help.”

Ms Urquhart said she was certain the general public would enjoy the family atmosphere at the event.

“The venue offers an attractive place to camp out in the fresh air near the Colombo Creek,” she said.

As an added bonus, the event is free for people to come and watch and a canteen is available.

About 20 yarding and sorting events take place across NSW throughout the year, with the finals usually conducted in October.