Bonalbo pub Dog ‘n’ Bull welcomes Bonalbo Bonanza Campdraft riders on horseback in for traditional beer

Tree changers who ditched the glam of the Gold Coast for something a bit more down to Earth got what they asked for when riders trotted into their North Coast pub on horseback.

Not a sight you see every day. Picture: Carl Agnew

Treechangers Carl and Marcy Agnew left the bustling glitz of the Gold Coast and moved to their Tabulam property in northern NSW to “try something different”.

Horses and riders trotting into their venue, the Dog ‘n’ Bull Hotel, certainly fits the bill.

On Sunday, a group of Bonalbo Bonanza Campdraft riders headed into the pub on horseback for a drink – something of a tradition.

“When the campdraft’s finished and everything’s packed up, loaded and done, they just sort of go for a wander through town,” Mr Agnew said.

Darrell Amos having a cold one with his horse at the Dog ‘n’ Bull Hotel at Bonalbo. Picture: Carl Agnew

“Not so much a parade train or anything like that – they just go for a wander through.

“To the best of my knowledge it’s a tradition they do after the campdraft here.”

Mr Agnew said he was pleased to see the riders drop by and amused by the sight.

“It’s a good thing to do … it’s a fun thing to do,” the 55-year-old publican laughed.

Praising the riders, Mr Agnew said he would “never get on one (a horse)” but he was happy to welcome them into his pub.

He said he did not want to leave tradition “in the corner” like some and was keen to “keep it running”.

Mr Agnew said he always wanted to run a country pub and the couple took over the licence a little over a year ago, after moving to Tabulam about three years ago.

Tom Amos, Andrew Robertson, Chris Whitney, his daughters Claudia and Paige, and Riley Wilmont.

The former smash repairer said the locals were thrilled to see the watering hole reopen after its doors were closed for a time.

A self-proclaimed “people guy”, Mr Agnew said he always wanted to run a country pub and came in expecting it would have more of an “outback” feel.

The visit at the weekend in the town of several hundred was in line with what he anticipated.

Campdraft competitions are a unique Australian sport established in the bush in the 1920s and 30s, in which stock hands demonstrate their prowess and mustering skills.

“Every little town out here has hosted its own campdraft right through to Casino, Lismore, Ballina even,” Mr Agnew said.

“Mallanganee’s just had theirs, Woodenbong, Urbanville, Tabulam have all had theirs in the last six weeks.

Campdraft, competitors mosey into watering hole, the Dog ‘n’ Bull Hotel at Bonalbo.

“Now it was Bonalbo’s turn.”

Mr Agnew said the campdrafts were a “great little boost” to the towns.

“There are generations of families in this town that I know of that are keeping it alive and trying to get to another level each time,” he said.

With thousands of dollars up for grabs, Mr Agnew said the campdrafters were “fair dinkum” at having a go in the competition.