Tenterfield Showground is getting busy in preparation for the National Rodeo Association finals being held here on Saturday, November 10 with 180 competitors and their entourages descending on town to secure their spot in the grand final.
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Among them is local man Brendan Zappa who will be contesting the bareback ride, aiming to match or hopefully improve his position in the rankings. Each event features the 12 finalists who have earned their position in the final through their performance on the circuit.
Brendan’s parents from the other side of Mingoola are undecided on whether they’ll be in the crowd watching Brendan ride, with a poor track record in that department.
“We’re in two minds about it,” dad Adrian said.
“We’ve watched him twice, and he lost both times.”
Mr Zappa said Brendan didn’t start out riding wild horses on the farm. Instead he began his rodeo career riding bulls before moving onto broncs.
Fans of both bulls and broncs as well as a host of other rodeo events are in for a treat with the finals of 15 events to be contested. The program includes open bull ride, saddle ride, bareback ride, steer wrestling, rope & tie, open barrel race, open breakaway roping, team roping, steer undecorating, U18 junior barrel race, U18 junior breakaway roping, U18 junior bull ride, U16 juvenile bull ride, U14 junior steer ride and the 7-U12 poddy ride.
The action starts with the junior events at 4.30pm after the gates open at 3pm. There will be a barbecue operating and the bar will be open until late, with live entertainment after the rodeo.
