By Casey O'Connor
t a time when there is a great deal of doom and gloom surrounding the cattle industry it was great to see so many people put aside the negative thoughts and support the Stanthorpe Rodeo on Saturday and just have a great time.
200 competitors ensured the Rodeo at the Stanthorpe Showgrounds was an event to remember. Several riders made the trip to Stanthorpe for the first time after the Millmerran Rodeo was cancelled.
The large number of riders saw the number of actual run swell to 270 and ensured there were plenty of thrills and spills for the crowd of around 800.
For many riders it was their first time at the Stanthorpe event and organisers have been buoyed by their feedback with many vowing to return.
There was plenty of interest in all the events, but perhaps one of the most keenly watched was not the Open Saddle Bronc or any number of other senior events but the Novice Poddy Ride where the nervous excitement of the kids was only matched by that of their parents.
Hopefully these young Cowboys will become the next generation of rodeo enthusiasts and they will remember the Stanthorpe event as their first step on the Rodeo circuit.
Will Rudd who has lived and breathed cattle since he was born is one such young cowboy. After a pretty successful first ride on Saturday night, he can’t wait to do it all again according to parents Katrina and Matt Rudd. Will Rudd – remember the name.
Congratulations to the Stanthorpe Campdraft and Rodeo committee – a lot of work goes into this event and it was a great success.
Casey
