While the rain may have kept some away, more than 1000 rodeo fans made their way to the annual Outram Rodeo yesterday.
For at least two people in the crowd it was a somewhat novel experience.
Until yesterday, Dunedin man Stuart Diack had not attended a rodeo for more than 50 years and his wife Pauline had never set foot inside a rodeo area.
''I haven't been to a rodeo in 50 years but I went to plenty in my youth,'' Mr Diack said.
The couple had prepared for all types of weather.
''We got wet a couple of times but when the sun comes out it makes up for it.''
Mrs Diack said from now on she would be recommending the rodeo to everyone.
''We think it's a lovely family day out and everybody should come.''
Outram Rodeo spokesman Fred Doherty said the recent weather had been a blessing and a curse.
''The rain means the grounds are in an almost perfect condition for the rodeo but it probably means we've suffered a little bit with the crowd size.''
Despite the lower numbers than hoped for, everyone had enjoyed themselves, Mr Doherty said.
With points in the national rodeo competition to be contested, many of the best riders from around New Zealand attended, he said.
Earlier in the day, a group of about 40 animal activists held a silent protest near the entrance to the rodeo. Mr Doherty said he had no comment on the protest.
The protest was part of a national campaign run by the Animal Justice League calling for a ban on all rodeos in New Zealand.
Spokesman Leighton Thompson said people had travelled from as far away as Christchurch and Invercargill to support the call for a ban.
''There is overwhelming support for a ban on rodeo in Aotearoa, with only a minority of people opposing a ban,'' he said.
