Good weather over the Waitaki Valley brought good fortune to the Omarama Rodeo Club yesterday.
Hot, calm conditions drew about 2000 holiday-makers to the annual rodeo and as temperatures rose to 31degC, they were all seeking shade and cold drinks.
Club president Jamie Brice said although the crowd at the 29-year-old event was smaller than the previous year's, "it's still good''.
Entries, on the other hand, were a lot stronger than in previous years and Mr Brice credited the reintroduction of the Maniototo Rodeo to the circuit as a contributing factor.
The first rodeo staged in the Maniototo for about 30 years was held on Sunday.
"Also, all our horses are contract horses now, and that's certainly helped,'' he said.
Mr Brice said the stock was in good condition, the competition had been strong, there had been no serious injuries and the crowd looked happy, albeit very hot.
"The horses have been really good and it'll be good to see the bulls come out - that's one of the highlights,'' he said.
"The crowd's been behind us and there have been no major hiccups.''
A team of about 15 volunteers had organised the event and Mr Brice heaped praise on them, especially the younger members.
"With more young ones involved like that, it brings more young ones out [to the rodeo],'' he said.
"It's a really good team we've got and the community is really behind us.''
More than $17,000 was made in ticket sales, and the club had also raised money through fundraisers throughout the year, including a horse trek and the annual "bark-up'' competition.
The committee sought only to break even from the event, Mr Brice said.
"It costs us about $45,000 to run it, so we need that and sponsorship is obviously a big thing.''
