TOMORROW marks the start of the Alpine Regional Horseman's Association's Myrtleford Cutting event, which runs until Sunday, February 23.

Now in its sixth year, organisers are finalising preparations, ready to welcome hundreds of cutting enthusiasts to the area to witness the nuanced cattle-wrangling event.

"We've been frantically busy over the last couple of weeks to make sure everything is in place for this year's show," event secretary, Kathleen Philip said.

"It's become a very popular sport in this country and we get competitors from all over.

"This Myrtleford Cutting Show is on the national calendar now, as one of the go-to shows, which is pretty good for a little town like us.

"Because it has become such a major show, some of the absolute best riders and cutters in the country will be competing at our show this week.

"There are more than 420 entries, which is a lot in cutting terms; bigger than the national finals.

"It's a high-adrenaline sport, which makes it such a magnificent spectacle."

Cutting involves five riders and a herd of up to 40 cows in an arena, where one of the riders maneuvers a cow to be 'cut off' from the rest of the herd, while the other four riders cover the remaining herd.

The single rider blocks the lone cow and tries to keep it in the same space in front of the three judges, leading his horse with one hand on the reigns and the other on the saddle.

Once the rider has the cow in the right place, he puts both hands on the saddle and the horse then takes over, working like a sheep-dog.

The judges award particular points for technical correctness: the cow remaining completely still, the quality of cut, the quality of the work holding it away from the herd and how many cows can be cut in under 2.5 minutes, up to three cows.

"We're very blessed with the local cattle breeders we work with from the area," Ms Philip said.

"Over 1100 head of cattle are provided by local breeders and all transport of the cattle is by local carriers.

"We value these community arrangements very highly.

"Furthermore, a lot of the cattle providers find when they get their cattle back, they tend to be much quieter, less distressed....because they've had practice being on a truck, being in unfamiliar places with different people and horses so in the long run, they're less likely to get hurt."

Myrtleford Cutting Show organiser, Steve Graves, said the event provides a great boost to the local economy.

"It's becoming a really big event for the area," he said.

"Attendees and spectators alike bring their families along and stay in our local bed-and-breakfasts and hotels, eat at restaurants in the area and visit our various shops.

"Casual spectators are welcome and entry's free, for anyone who might be interested in finding out what it's all about.

"It's a really beautiful event and we usually end up with a couple hundred people watching from up on the hill."

The Myrtleford Cutting Show will be held at the Recreation Reserve in O'Donnell Avenue from Thursday, February 20 to Sunday, February 23, with gates opening at 8:30am and shutting at 5pm.

For more information visit the Alpine Regional Horsemen's Association Cutting- Myrtleford Facebook page.