There were some nerve-wracking moments for the Wānaka Rodeo Club ahead of last week’s annual rodeo thanks to heavy rain, but the day itself was perfect, according to club president Ethan McNamara.

The annual event, held on Friday January 2, attracted a capacity crowd of around 4,000 people.

“It was a lot better than we were expecting with the weather,” Ethan told the Wānaka App.

Despite the rain, the crowd “came in droves”, he said: “From the weather in the morning and until it stopped it was the perfect day for us, to be honest.”

Wānaka Rodeo Club bronco Bandit had his last hurrah at the rodeo and will now retire to the paddock. PHOTO: Supplied

Ethan said all the stock performed well and the day was “the final hurrah” for two club stalwarts: horses Bandit and Murphy.

“Bandit finished with a buck off, it was quite nice to see for old Bandit. He’s now going to live his best life out in the paddock with Murphy.”

The local bucking bronc, which is owned by the club, has won respect over the years for his character and big heart.

Read more: Bandit steals hearts

Invercargill cowboy Nate Robertson took out the second division Saddle Bronc ride and his first open Saddle Bronc; Tammy Taylor and ‘Gold’ won the Barrel Race contest, but standings leader Kate Hughes and ’Sister’ earned enough in second to retain their lead overall.

Alexandra cowgirl Sky Sanders and ‘Cappi’ placed second in the Open Breakaway Roping contest; Oamaru cowboy Ryan Adam and ‘Streaker’ won the Steer Wrestling title; and Bianca Haugh and ‘Cinch’ won the second division Barrel Race.

Clayton Perkins won the Junior Breakaway Roping, the Novice Steer Ride, and placed second in the Junior Barrel Race. He and his father Anthony then won the Team Roping contest.

Ethan said the club ran a breakaway shootout round at the end of the rodeo for the top six times of the day, which was won by Sophie Smith of Tarras.

Both vets and representatives from the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) are on hand at all rodeos to ensure stock wellbeing, and Ethan said he “had a good yarn to MPI after the rodeo and they were extremely happy with how things went”.