The Rodeo

• 28th December 2010, 10am
• Adults: $15
• Children Over 5: $5
• Families: $35

For many, the East Cape, Bay of Plenty town of Opotiki is a great place to spend that hard earned summer vacation. The area has a vibrant and colourful history and is believed to have been at the vanguard of rough riding and buck jumping in New Zealand. In the modern era of rodeo, Opotiki is famous for its Christmas Rodeo and thanks to the support of hordes of vacationers and locals, is recognised as home of the “best crowd in the business”.

The weather is usually fine and sunny and the East Coast has much to offer visitors to the area. Great fishing, hunting, bush walks, white water rafting, jet boating, a variety of beaches, plenty of places to stay, and numerous other features are available in the Opotiki district. Plan your holiday around the Rodeo and enjoy the best weather in the country. For more information of what to do, where to stay or what to see in Opotiki take a look at www.opotikinz.com or contact the Visitor Information Centre, (07) 315 – 3031 infocentre@odc.govt.nz

The Rodeo grounds are situated at the Northern end of St John Street which is just off State Highways 2 and 35 – there will be direction signs on the day. Food and a licensed booths on the ground, also there will be amusements for the children. The Rodeo committee will have worked hard to make sure that everything will go smoothly on the day. Working bees, sponsorship gathering, arranging the stock, organising entertainment, arranging food and drink outlets and more, all are part of the busy pre-rodeo schedule. Opotiki may be a small community but there is a great sense of commitment to providing the best Rodeo entertainment over the Christmas/New Year break.

We often have competitors from overseas and of course they come from both the North and South Islands, and again the Church family (well known in Rodeo circles) is usually well represented. Entries are usually around 150 competitors with most competing in more than 1 event.

The Opotiki Rodeo has a reputation for paying good prize-money: this year we are again running the feature Opotiki Transport Open Bull Ride (at 2pm on the day) with a purse of $1,000; the other Open Events purse money is $700 per event with $400 per Second Division event. There are 7 Open Events – these are: Bareback Bronc, Calf Rope & Tie, Saddle Bronc, Barrell Racing, Steer Wrestling, Team Roping and the Bull Ride. There are 4 Second Division Events – which are Bareback Bronc, Saddle Bronc, Barrell Racing and Bull Ride. We also run a local Bull Ride which is very popular with the crowd, and a Junior Barrell Race which the NZ Rodeo Cowboys Assn. will be sponsoring.

The rodeo date for this year's event is 28th December 2010 and all the fun begins at 10am.

More information

• Opotiki Accommodation
• Opotiki Information Centre
• Visit www.rodeonz.co.nz for more information on Rodeo News throughout New Zealand.