Looking for locals

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 527, 15 March 1994, Page 7

Looking for locals

The excitement of the 44th Annual Waimarino Rodeo to be held this Saturday and Sunday 19-20 March, looks set to satisfy the spectators, but it would be even better with more locals. Entries closed 10 March, and at that time just one local rider - talented rodeo-goer Craig Wiggins - had registered for the event, according to Waimarino Rodeo committee secretary, Michelle Bright. Mrs Bright said the lack of response is annoying, considering the great deal of effort the committee put into promoting the event at a local level. The Waimarino Rodeo-owned mechanical bucking bull has been in circulation in the area, at clubs and events, and is generally well patronised, she said. "We had hoped that the bucking bull would raise the level of awareness in the area", said Mrs Bright "We do get local entries every year, but they've been getting fewer and locals generally don't register until the day of the rodeo." Mrs Bright said 80 single entries had been received which does not take into consideration multiple entries by some participants. The poor response by local cowboys is surprising, considering the healthy prize pool: over $3000 is up for grabs across the board, counting various "added entries" pots. Rodeo president Ian 'Buster' Healey said that overall entries are up, with numbers being fairly consistent throughout the season. With the Waimarino Rodeo being the last chance for competition and pdints building before the finals at Rerewhakaaitu, south of Rotorua, on Easter Saturday, Mr Healey said the action will be fast and furious. Spectator action Rodeo as a spectator sport has always proved popular with locals and visitors alike, with such events as bull riding and bareback riding pulling the crowds.

From Page 7 Dedicated rodeo riders do the circuit of competition, following the rodeos around the country, leading up to the finals where natipnal titles are up for grabs. For the uninitiated, here are some points to watch for during the various events: • Timed events such as barrel racing, steer wrestling and calf roping, are races against the clock. In the barrel racing, a good time could be anywhere , between 17-21 seconds. With both steer wrestling and calf roping, competitors have 60 seconds: 30 seconds to

catch the animal and 30 seconds to throw. • Bareback - from — the time the rider leaves

the chute he has to sit tight for eight seconds to qualify. The rider 'marks' the animal out with both spurs in contact with the horse at the break of the shoulder. From there the contact goes to the break of the neck. At no time can the rider's free hand come in contact with the horse, raw-hide rigging, or any part of his clothing. This would result in disqualification. Their performance is marked out of a possible 100 points by two judges with marking as follows: 25 points stock, 25 points rider (per judge). • Bronco - With the same scoring system as for the bareback event, riders must hold the mark out for the first jump. Competitors are automatically disqualified if they lose a stirrup. • Bull riding - No mark-out rules apply in this event, although action with spurs can result in extra points for the competitor. Riders need complete an eight second ride (a hell of a long time, according to veterans!) Competitors to watch out for include Larry Williamson from TePohue, who currently leads the field in the bronc riding event, with brother.duo Mark

and David Wright sitting tight amongst the top riders. Bare-back officionados Rex and Dion Church will be battling to take top honours in the weekend's competition, while in the bull riding event Dion Church and Mark Wright will be in to win. Entry to the 44th annual Waimarino Rodeo remains the same as last year, with $5 per adult and $2 for children. Refreshments will once again be provided by the Ohakune Hotel throughout the weekend. Stock used in the rodeo including dogging steers, roping calves and bulls are loaned by local breeders. Contestants in the timed events provide their own mounts.