One of Mount Isa’s top prospects will be local rider Claire Murphy, who has played a big part in the development of the new-looking Mount Isa arena.

‘‘We got a grant to build the arena that started last year in August and here we are,’’ Murphy said.

As the Mount Isa Campdraft Association treasurer, Murphy, as well as a seemingly endless number of volunteers, have been flat-out organising the three-day event, which starts today.

But if the 26-year-old finds the time, she will be participating in this weekend’s campdraft blockbuster.

‘‘If I can win it, I’ll try. Mount Isa will just be like another campdraft,’’ she said.

Murphy has been enjoying her favourite sport for nine years, having  ridden horses as a youngster.

‘‘I started getting into campdraft working at stations, too,’’ she said. ‘‘It’s a very levelling sport. The best can go in there and get cracked off. It’s unpredictable.’’

Murphy, who is likely to ride horses Must Be Reflection and Ricki this weekend, said one of her career highlights was making the final at the Cloncurry Stockman’s Challenge last year.

‘‘A challenge is different to a campdraft. It’s two phases. The first is a normal campdraft, then the second is like a reigning pattern without cattle to show off your horsemanship.’’

Murphy is eyeing a return to the Cloncurry Stockman’s Challenge  on July 8-12, while the Richmond campdraft could also be on the cards on September 4-6.

Hundreds first-round runs are expected to take place on Friday morning when the Mount Isa Campdraft begins.

‘‘We will have around 280 runs in maiden, 300 in novice, and 200 in open,’’ Murphy said.

Campdrafting will begin at 7am on Friday at Campdraft Central on Bendall Drive, followed by the maiden draft at 8am, with the final and restricted open draft to correspond. 

The novice draft will commence at 7am with the mini draft, junior draft, juvenile draft and ladies draft to correspond.

Visitors are invited to bring along their bull rope if they are interested in having a ride in the bull or bullock ride on Saturday night. 

The encouragement draft will be on Sunday  from 7am, with the open draft soon after, followed by the  novice and open finals to round off  the weekend’s action.

There will be a licensed bar and a disc jockey on the Friday and Saturday nights for entertainment.