Three generations of one family have a long history with the Wānaka Rodeo, and this year the Wānaka Rodeo Club (WRC) will honour the McCarthy family’s contribution in a special parade during the event’s opening ceremony.

Each year flag bearers (representing the four nations which compete in rodeo) ride a circuit of the arena during the opening ceremony, but at this 62nd Wānaka Rodeo those riders will be Pat McCarthy (Snr), his son Patrick, his wife Deanna, and their son George (7).

Families play an important role in rodeo as they hold generations of knowledge and passion for the sport, WRC president Deanna McCarthy said.

“Rodeo is a very family orientated sport, providing a safe, fun, friendly environment and there’s lots of support amongst competitors, club members, stock contractors and sponsors,” she said.

The WRC has about 35 members with a good mix of experience and young enthusiasm, she said. Her son George loves being a part of rodeo and is proud to be a part of Wānaka rodeo club.

“He is often found at the working bees on a shovel wanting to help planting more trees or whatever the club is doing. There is great camaraderie within our club and we have a lot of fun.”

And club members are going to be busy once again as competition entries are up on 2024 which fielded more than 200 entrants.

Deanna said a lot of good juniors had signed up, and a strong contingent from the North Island would be coming down to Wānaka.

Women’s open breakaway roping, which was recognised as an official women’s event for the first time last year, is also proving popular, she said.

“Women’s breakaway has proven to be a hugely popular event not only with women but also spectators,” Deanna said.

A New Zealand flag bearer rides a circuit during an opening ceremony at Wānaka Rodeo. PHOTO: Wānaka App

Before last year, the only open women’s rodeo event was barrel racing. Breakaway provides another opportunity for women to score points towards the women’s all round best championship which must be won in two or more events.

Unlike the traditional “rope and tie”, in breakaway the cattle are only roped, with the rope “breaking away” from the steer or heifer as soon as it pulls tight. As a result, it requires very quick reactions with winners often taking only three or four seconds to complete their catch and release.

Competition will be fierce in the traditional championship Open and Second Division events, from Bull Riding, Bronc Riding and Steer Wrestling to Team Roping, Rope and Tie and Barrel Racing. Junior contestants (under 15 years) will also compete in Breakaway Roping, Barrel Racing and Steer Riding.

Returning this year is the popular fundraising raffle. Wānaka Football Club members will circulate through the crowd selling $5 tickets and the winner splits the proceeds with the WRC. Last year’s winner took home over $5,000.

The rodeo is held at the club grounds near Albert Town. Free car parking is available off SH6 about 500m north of the Albert Town bridge. The public car park is open from 9:00am and the rodeo begins with second division events at 11:00am. 

The entry fee (cash or EFTPOS) at the public gate is $25/adult, $50/family and children under the age of five are welcome free. Spectators are asked to leave their dogs, alcohol and glass at home. Tickets are also available online here.

Central Otago performer Nia Du Plessis will provide live entertainment at 1:00pm before the opening ceremony and again after the last open events finish around 5:00pm.

A bus will be available at the end of the rodeo around 6pm to ferry spectators back to Wānaka and traffic management will occur at the Albert Town bridge to ease traffic congestion.

The Wānaka rodeo is part of the New Zealand Rodeo Cowboys Association’s (NZRCA) southern Christmas circuit and one of the busiest times of the rodeo season, which runs from October through to March.

Many competitors will travel hundreds of miles to attend four or five rodeos at this time of the year, from Omarama to Te Anau and Waikouaiti to Mandeville, near Christchurch.

Points scored by competitors at these rodeos count towards the ultimate selection of riders qualified to compete in the NZRCA’s championship finals in March 2025.