"Yee Ha!" time again!

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 577, 14 March 1995, Page 9

"Yee Ha!" time again!

'Yee Ha', its that time again, when the cowboys and cowgirls come to town for the annual Waimarino Rodeo. Jenny Wiggins, the organisation's secretary gave up some of her busy time to have a chat about events and what's involved. To start with, it all kicks off this Saturday and Sunday the 18th and 19th at the Waimarino Show Grounds. A lot of hard work goes into preparing for the day, making sure holding pens are up to scratch, with yards, pens and facilities all ready to go. Saturdays events are for open grade competitors, those whose 2000 points give them in effect $2000 prize money. Sunday' s events allow those competitdrs both local and others, to try to gain their required 2000 points in order to be eligible for open competition. It is also an opportunity for children to compete. Events An explanation of the various events: Calf Roping - The competitor ropes the calf in the fastest time. (Time allowed, eight seconds). In the past this practice was used in order to brand the calf and at the same time carry out health checks. Steer wrestling - The rider chases the steer on his horse, then jumps off, catches the steer by its horns and throws it onto the ground. Bareback - The rider must leave the chute holding his horse - using a one-handed ride with a rawhide rigging, as with all events, the competitor must ride eight seconds. Currently, the top riders in this event are, Shane Cooper from Wiggate in the South Island, Ron Parsons Rotorua and Dion Ghurch from the Otorohanga Distriet. These competitors are from three and four generations of families who have competed at top level. Many riders at this level are still farming, using horses in the Turn to Page 10