CAMPDRAFTERS were able to improve their skills in a bison school at Tamworth's Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre on January 21.
Kendal Neilson, "Leeburn", Dungog, brought his bison to town to help young campdrafters with technique.
He's owned bison since 2006, using them for schools at campdrafts and pony club camps.
Mr Neilson and Warwick Lawrence, from Maitland, run about 25 schools a year.
"I was at the cutting futurity sale and sold horse to person who had them and told me how they were used," Mr Neilson said.
"I get mine from a breeder in Victoria who brought them to Australia years ago."
Mr Neilson trains the bison to work in the yard and run the course.
"They all go through the same program, cutting out in the camp, then they start with the course and we put it all together," he said.
The animal's temperament and training ability makes them great training tools.
"They don't get sour. You can do the same thing over and over again and they're fine with it," Mr Neilson said.
"We can also slow the down and speed them up. If a get a beginner who needs to go steady I can slow them down and if it's someone advanced I'll speed them up."
Mr Neilson buys the bison as weaners and trains them to sell to campdrafters and cutters.
"I do all the training and sell them on. There's big demand for them. They've gone to Queensland, South Australia and the Northern Territory."
