All roads will lead to Tumut Showground on Saturday, April 20 for a day of thrills and spills at the annual Tumut Rodeo Club Charity Campdraft and Rodeo.
Some of the best horsemen and women in Australia will display their riding skills during the event.
Tumut Rodeo Club publicity officer Miss Sam Kerr said a prize pool of about $12,000 would be up for grabs during the main event – the
Extreme Broncs Ray White Saddle Bronc and Blondie Challenge – a Buckle and Cash event.
“The top 10 cowboys from the round battle it out, with 10 of the best Blondie-bred horses in the state,’’ she said.
“The top 10 will compete in the Broncs Blondie Challenge and Bob Berg Buckles with Kelly Condon Trophy Buckle; the saddle bronc is the first round and the Blondie challenge is the final.’’
“In 1975, Tom French, Pat Webb and Warren Faulder travelled to Parkes to inspect 21 stallions that had been trucked in from the Northern Territory.
‘’They purchased the horses for $100 each and all but one, Blondie, was gelded.
“The remaining horse became the foundation of the Tumut Rodeo Club bucking horses and his name was Blondie.’’
Many of the Tumut Rodeo Club (TRC) horses featured in this year’s rodeo are descendants of Blondie.
The rodeo will include events such as saddle bronc, bareback bronc, bull riding, breakaway roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, rope and tie, team roping and steer riding as well as all junior events including junior and juvenile steer ride and junior and juvenile barrel races.
This event is part of the annual Australian Bushmen’s Campdraft and Rodeo Association (ABCRA) Full Points Award Rodeo and is a highlight on the Xtreme Broncs calendar.
Described as one of the best in southern New South Wales, the rodeo offers a day of equine action, featuring some of the best horse riders and bull riders in the state.
“The Allen Sephton memorial bull ride will again be another highlight of the event,’’ Miss Kerr said.
The charity rodeo raises money for various local charities and community organisations.
Entry price is $25 per adult, $15 each for an aged pensioner and school-aged children and $60 for a family ticket (two adults and two children).
Gates will open at 10am and the first of the main events will start at 1pm.
The grand entry will be at 6.30pm when the cowboys will be introduced and the national anthem will be performed.
