New Zealand barrel racing champion Angie Perkins, of Wanaka, was thrilled to win her event in front of a large and supportive home crowd at Wanaka Rodeo's new arena yesterday.
Ms Perkins (30) is a shepherd at Lake McKay Station, where she has worked alongside her partner, station manager Josh Meehan, for four years.
Yesterday she pocketed a $700 cheque for winning the barrel race, continuing a string of successes over the summer.
The Southland-raised cowgirl has won every barrel race on the Christmas circuit, except for one at Waimate where she finished second.
Today she competes at the final Christmas-circuit rodeo in Christchurch, with the same winning goal in mind, before launching herself into the southern rodeo circuit throughout Otago and Southland from next month and defending her national title in Lawrence in March.
"This is my local club and this crowd was just awesome. I think the club is excited about what we've achieved and to win in front of my local crowd is awesome," Ms Perkins said yesterday.
Thousands of spectators enjoyed the rodeo from a grassed embankment overlooking the arena set up on the Albert Town reserve, near the Hawea River.
Conditions were sunny, windy and dusty, with temperatures reaching 21degC.
Wanaka Rodeo Club president Roger Moseby said the club was "pretty chuffed" by the trouble-free event.
"It was fantastic. Nothing else could describe it. Awesome crowd, awesome rodeo ... Everything went perfectly. We are looking to build on that next year," he said.
The huge crowd had not been counted. Nor had the club had a chance yesterday to count the donations taken for St John, which is the club's major beneficiary (the club matches crowd donations dollar for dollar).
The club also supports Riding for Disabled, which sold the programmes this year.
The clean-up was done by the Wanaka Rowing Club and there had been no problems with rubbish, Mr Moseby said.
St John officers reported two cases where cowboys had been referred to the Wanaka Medical Centre.
A man required treatment after he was kicked by a bull and a boy was assessed for an injured back. Other injuries were treated on site with ice and sticky tape.
Traffic congestion on State Highway 6 had been a concern before the rodeo and police were controlling the one-lane Albert Town bridge near the rodeo access at one stage of the afternoon.
Mr Moseby said traffic congestion was minimised because entertainer Kaylee Bell performed for about two hours after the rodeo ended, delaying the departure of many patrons.
The rodeo held a liquor licence and Mr Moseby was not aware of any intoxication issues.
Detective Dave Evans said he understood the rodeo had not caused the police any major issues.
A minor car accident at the intersection of state highways 6 and 8 required traffic control for a short time, he said.
