Monday, 6 March 2023

National rodeo finals draw good crowds

    By Grant Miller
    1. Rural life
    2. Rural Events
    Rex Church, of Kaitaia, gives his all in the bareback category at the national rodeo finals in...
    Rex Church, of Kaitaia, gives his all in the bareback category at the national rodeo finals in Outram. PHOTOS: STEPHEN JAQUIERY
    John Davis, of Rotorua, competes in the steer-wrestling event.
    John Davis, of Rotorua, competes in the steer-wrestling event.
    Aaron Church jun goes to tie his calf in the rope-and-tie event.
    Aaron Church jun goes to tie his calf in the rope-and-tie event.
    Rylee Ward, of Cambridge, competes in the bull ride, and wins the national title.
    Rylee Ward, of Cambridge, competes in the bull ride, and wins the national title.
    Jan Atkinson, of Taupo, flies during the barrel race.
    Jan Atkinson, of Taupo, flies during the barrel race.
    Corey Church, of Rotorua, has a wild ride in the saddle bronc.
    Corey Church, of Rotorua, has a wild ride in the saddle bronc.

    Hundreds of people headed to Outram for this year’s national rodeo finals.

    The sport has had a rough ride in the past couple of years because of Covid-19, but it evidently rebounded this summer with strong crowds.

    The Outram Rodeo Club hosted the National Finals Rodeo on Saturday in pleasant conditions for competitors and there was a little drizzle around.

    It was the sixth time the club has hosted the finals.

    "It was an extremely successful event," club president James Adam said.

    The sport continued to get great support from spectators and sponsors, he said.

    Prize money worth $48,000 from the season was paid out at the weekend.

    Events included bull riding, steer wrestling, team roping and a barrel race.

    Cambridge rider Rylee Ward won the open bull-riding title, following in his father’s footsteps.

    Jonny Ward won the title for the first time in 2002 at Lawrence.

    He won it again in 2005, 2007 and 2008.

    grant.miller@odt.co.nz

     

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