Rodeo history

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 8, Issue 377, 12 March 1991, Page 9

Rodeo history

By

Gail

Imhoef

The idea of a Waimarino rodeo came about as a result of a trip in the late 1940's by Harold Windle, Ross Brown and the late Ray Brown to Wanganui to see Skewthorpe's circus. One of the acts was buckjumping by Dan Baldwin, a well known rodeo cowboy in the 1950's. At the initial meeting of the Waimarino Rodeo Association Don Wright was elected President with Arthur Samson the first secretary. Others at the first meeting were Ray Brown, Ross Brown, Bob Bell, Cliff Solly, Bill Strachan and Harold Windle. - Turnpage 15

Rodeo history

From page 9 Dan Baldwin, then working at Mangaohane Station between Taihape and Napier, put together the first string of horses which were usually ones that couldn't be ridden. The first Waimarino Rodeo was in 1950 and it is now the longest running rodeo in the country as the first, the Meanne rodeo, is no longer running. Dan (Hobo) Alabaster and Grey Healey are two others who have been involved with the rodeo from the early days and are still involved, although Hobo's involvement has lessened over the last few years. Ross Brown and Harold Windle are still busy on the committee. Over the years horses have been picked up from all over the area. Many were given to the rodeo and some bought. In the early years bigger horses were obtained from Rueben Konui at Rotoaire. In 1957 a two day championship rodeo was held. In those days the rodeo was run in the main show arena with no inner fence and two chutes. 127 horses were put through the chutes over the weekend. Everyone who scored points on the first day rode on the second day. The Waimarino Rodeo has had only four presidents in its 42 years - Don Wright, Harold Windle, Ross Brown and the present president Neil Wiggins. There have been two chute bosses over this period - Murray Hawira and now Neil McLean. Many of the present committee began their involvement as boys and have maintained interest throughout their lives. Both Neil Wiggins and Neil McLean have been involved since they were boys.

Neil Wiggins since he was 14 and Neil McLean since he left school. There are also several second generation committee men. The present arena was built about five years ago and paid for in one year due to public generosity. The move to the present arena was made necessary when ploughing of the arena became a rodeo rule. The

main show arena could not be ploughed as it is used for rugby and by the show. Since the arena has been built the workload for the committee has decreased. When the main arena was used with an inner fence this had to be put up and taken down each year. The fence makes it much easier to clear the stock from the arena.