THE 39th ANNUAL WAIMARINO RODEO

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 278, 14 March 1989, Page 7

THE 39th ANNUAL WAIMARINO RODEO

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II WAIMAEIHO ROBEO

From page 7 Prizes offered in the rodeo range from $25 for the calf riding competition to $200 for the bareback ride, the open buck jump, the calf roping, the barrel racing, the bulldogging and the open bull ride. For local riders there are special prizes in the steer ride and exclusive for women is the barrel race. The organisers of the

event acknowledge the great support from local businesses and the main sponsor FAI Metropolitan Life. The local sponsors are Winstone Afforestation, Dominion Breweries, Malrex Logging, Waimarino Wools, Rex Newton Amusements, H. Windle, M. Kennedy and A. R. Brown. Stock for the rodeo is carted free of charge by Barrett and Taura,

Charmichael Transport and Lilburn Transport. About 70 horses are needed for the Waimarino Rodeo and the Waimarino Rodeo Association has enough of its own to meet this demand. Local farmers graze the horses for the association. Mr McLean says rodeo horses may look like they get a hard time but that they live a life better than most

horses. "For 364 days of the year they eat grass - then on one day they have to do 10 seconds' work," said Neil.

The Association takes great care to ensure the stock used in the rodeo are protected from injury, said Mr McLean. For example

spurs are taped to allow their use but to stop damage to the horses, he said. The pick up riders are important for animal safety too, said Neil. The quicker and better they do their job the less chance there is for animals to be injured. Pick up riders are also very important people because the riders' lives sometimes depend on their skill, said Neil. "They are usually guys who have been around rodeos for a long time - they've got to have good horses and good riding skills," he said. Because this rodeo is one of the bigger ones in the country the public are guaranteed good entertainment, say or-

ganisers, because the I riders following the I circuit have more I "dollar points" to chase I here. r~| National Association I points are calculated I from dollars won and I the Waimarino Rodeo I has $1700 plus entry I fees on offer in prize I money. I I With about 250 indi- I vidual entries from I about 100 riders that I means close to $5000 I will be up for grabs in I the various events. I The newer riders I compete in the second I division competitions I such as the steer ride, I where the animals are I younger. 99 per cent of I upcoming riders start in I the steer ride because it I is the safest and easi- I est. I Some riders prefer I bareback riding, where I they ride horses hang- I ing on to a handle at- I tached to a special I girth rig, while others I prefer the buck jump, I where riders try to stay I on the saddle using just I their balancing skills I while holding 'on to a I halter. I "A good bareback I rider may not necessar- I ily be a good buck I jumper," says Neil I McLean. H Bulldogging is a I spectacular event where I mounted cowboys chase I a horned steer, leaping I off as the horse comes I alongside grabbing the I horns and tip the ani- I mai onto its side. The H record time for this H event is about three and I a half seconds. H For experts is the I open bull ride. It's the H same as the steer ride I but with full-grown bulls that are extremely

, because the following the have more >oints" to chase lal Association are calculated illars won and marino Rodeo '00 plus entry offer in prize about 250 indientries from 00 riders that :lose to $5000 up for grabs in >us events. newer riders in the second competitions the steer ride, he animals are 99 per cent of g riders start in ride because it afest and easiriders prefer : riding, where e horses hang:o a handle atto a special ;, while others lie buck jump, ders try to stay addle using just ilancing skills olding'on to a ood bareback iy not necessara good buck " says Neil ogging is a lar event where cowboys chase 1 steer, leaping he horse comes e grabbing the nd tip the anio its side. The time for this about three and sconds. ixperts is the ill ride. It's the ; the steer ride th full-grown »t are extremely

strong and have a very difficult bucking action. Rather than bucking backwards and for-

wards most bulls "twist all over the place" says Neil McLean. New events this year

to go with the kids' calf ride is the sheep tagging, where youngsters have to chase down a sheep and attach a ribbon. In charge of the various events and aspects of the rodeo are: D. Windle, horse steward; G. Windle, calf roping; W. McNaught, bulls; Alf Alabaster, gear steward; C. Wiggins, cattle steward; G. Windle, calf steward; K.

Scarrow, bulldogging; S. Graham, Arena director; Neil McLean, chute boss; C. McLean, barrel racing. Patron of the association is H.J. Windle, president is Neil Wiggins and secretary is Mrs L. Brown. Calves for the rodeo are provided by H.J. Windle and Gavin Brown and steers by Neil Wiggins.