Rodeo clash makes organisers wild

BY BLAIR ENSOR

Organisers of this Saturday's Tuamarina Rodeo are irate after the New Zealand Rodeo Cowboys Association sanctioned another bull ride which clashes with their 61st annual event.

8 Seconds Bullriding, a non-points event in Rangiora, will feature 16 bull riders on Saturday and Sunday.

Riders will compete for a purse of $1500 each day.

Tuamarina Rodeo secretary Janice Thompsett said the clash would put a dent in the number of cowboys competing at the Tuamarina event.

So far there were nine riders registered for the open bull ride – the non-points event usually attracted up to 30.

"We are totally p ..... off," said Mrs Thompsett.

Although riders enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere of the Tuamarina event, the lure of the bigger bulls on offer at 8 Seconds Bullriding would attract many of the top riders, she said.

8 Seconds Bullriding organiser Duncan Mackintosh said up to nine of the riders at the event were from the North Island and would not have competed at Tuamarina.

February 27 and 28 were the only dates that suited this year because of a busy events schedule in Canterbury.

"We are not out to upset the Tuamarina Rodeo; we fully support New Zealand Rodeo."

National Association president Marty Deans said the plight of the Tuamarina Rodeo was unfortunate, but there were a limited number of days that events could be held annually and there were always clashes.

Mr Deans said there were 34 affiliated clubs around New Zealand with over 800 members and because some ran two-day events, there were 37 days of rodeo competition this season.

"We'd love the opportunity for our riders to go to all the rodeos, but it's impossible."

Mr Deans said that if two events applied for the same date before the AGM, they were both entitled to run on the same day. However, if their application came after the AGM, the event had to be run on a weekend free of other rodeos.

This season six rodeos clashed.

Mr Deans said if Tuamarina was to change to a points event they would have a better chance of securing riders.

"It would make it more attractive to make an effort to go there," he said.

Mrs Thompsett said the event had always been a non-points rodeo, because it was a community fundraiser.

The club had discussed going to points before, but it was feared cowboy pressure would force them to seek "contract stock", which would be expensive to source.

As it stood, bulls and steers for the event were sourced locally, she said.

Despite the major setback, organisers would still try to put on a good day for the public.

The Tuamarina Vintage Machinery Club would be on site as well as Sturgeon Amusements.

The open section purse was up to $500 this year, while the second division had increased to $300.

At $10 an adult and $5 for students it was still the cheapest rodeo in New Zealand, she said.

The Tuamarina Rodeo, Saturday, February 27. Gates open 10.30am; first ride 11.30am.

- The Marlborough Express