The investment in the Wanaka Rodeo Club’s new arena surface paid off handsomely as the event held last Saturday (January 2) went ahead without a hitch despite heavy rain the night before.

With other local events such as the Omakau Races and the Glenorchy Races being called off (the latter for the first time in its history) due to the unseasonal rain, the Wanaka rodeo’s new arena surface of crusher dust and sand ensured the event could be held safely.

Club president Patrick McCarthy, who checked the arena surface the morning of the rodeo and made the decision to proceed, said without the new surface Wanaka’s 58th annual rodeo would have been cancelled. 

The new surface, which replaced the regular dirt arena common to most New Zealand rodeo grounds, was laid only four weeks ago by club members with the assistance of local earthmoving contractor Maungatua Contracting.

Jen Atkinson of Middlemarch urges the best from her horse to win the Open Barrel Race. PHOTO: Aerial & Sports Photography 

Although the surface appeared harder to run in for some competitors, such as those involved in the rope and tie event, no injuries to any stock were reported.

The earth removed from the arena was relocated to another sheltered part of the grounds and levelled to create a warm up area for competitors. 

This year’s special cutting exhibition, displaying the skills of a cutting horse as it attempted to stop two guys trying to grab a prize, proved a crowd pleaser as did the running of the ‘rough stock’ through the arena, the ‘wild’ horses brought to the rodeo for the bareback and saddlebronc events.

The running of the “wild” broncs through the arena was popular with the crowd. PHOTO: Caitlin Crack CC Photographs

Out of the 195 entries from all over the country, local competitors performed well in a variety of events: young Pyper Sarginson rode second in the Second Division Barrel Race and Cade Cameron was third in the Novice Steer Ride; Pat McCarthy, who has competed at 56 of Wanaka’s 58 rodeos, with Danny Knowles was second in the team roping beating his son Patrick McCarthy and Shane Cooper into third place; and the club’s vice president Hunter Morrow rode third in the Second Division Bareback event.

The poor weather forecast meant only half the usual crowd attended, and while the predicted rain held off for most of the day, the heavens opened in the last hour and many spectators went home early.

Club member Lyal Cocks said, as a result, gate and bar takings were down but the club still hoped to break even. 

Even in the poor weather, the new sand pit still had its attraction for young rodeo goers. PHOTO: Natalie Anita DeCaro

It might mean, however, there would be no financial donation to a community organisation this year but many of the local groups who worked the rodeo day as a fundraising opportunity, such as the Hāwea-Wanaka Pony Club, Wanaka Rowing Club, Wanaka Community Patrol, Alpine Street Machine and NZ Riding for the Disabled (Wanaka Branch), would still take home a decent sum.

Last year’s successful rodeo attracted an estimated 3,500 spectators and the club generated over $12,500 which was shared between a range of local clubs, including a major donation of $5,000 to Food for Love.