Round one of the National Rodeo Association finals went off without a hitch in Tenterfield on Saturday night (rope and tie event notwithstanding), with hosts the Tenterfield Show Society considering it a hugely successful venture and a profitable one for the town in general.
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Mrs Rhodes said she was involved in handing over the prize money to the placegetters and all the competitors were very happy with the way the evening went.
“They were all saying how good it was.”
Attendance numbers could have been better, but Mrs Rhodes feels the clouds circulating may have kept some away. In the end the weather was a positive factor, with earlier rains dampening down the arena to produce a softer landing for competitors requiring it.
Bills are still coming in but Mrs Rhodes is confident of a positive outcome.
“Given the small number of volunteers and the huge effort they put in, I’m sure we’ll make a profit.” she said.
She said there’d be a few things to tweak should the event return, to make visitors more comfortable.
In addition to the professional rodeo cattle suppliers, three local families provided cattle for the event. Mrs Rhodes thanked Bob and Sue Jurd, Gary and Nancy Pitkin and John and Patsy Sharman for coming to the party with livestock for the event.
“And the crowd was very well behaved,” Mrs Rhodes said.
“It was a really nice atmosphere. It was a nice, affordable family night, and that’s what we were aiming for.”
The Show Society hopes to tender again for one of next year’s finals, with committee members already talking about the next rodeo and suggestions for improving it.
“Hopefully we’ll be doing it all again next year, if we can get enough people on the organising committee,” Mrs Rhodes said.
Mingoola bareback rider Brendan Zappa couldn’t quite live the hometown dream, coming second in his event. He and the rest of the finalists will carry their points to the next two rounds, to be held in Toowoomba and Caboolture.