Buckle up, the rodeo is in town

WOAH: Nathan Atkins getting thrown off a bull during last year's rodeo in the second division bull ride category. The annual event is on again this Sunday from 10am. Picture by Paul Rickard

DUST off the old denim and checked shirt combinations hiding in your closet folks, it is rodeo time.

At the Gisborne Rodeo everyone from the young guns in the junior section to the seasoned pros in the open section, will ride everything from sheep and calves to bulls and horses.

Gisborne Rodeo Association secretary Marsala Dalziel says it is a great event every year, and this time will be no different.

“We have bucking horses, the barebacks are well known as some of the best in the country, the riders love those horses.”

Bulls in the open section have been contracted from Fielding and are heavyweights at 600 to 700 kilograms.

“Catching the calves is a fun event and of course the women’s barrel race too.”

While laughs will be a-plenty when the juniors are giving it a go, there are a couple of notable bull fighters among the local talent who will not be mucking around.

Warren Norton is an eight-time Australian bullfighter of the year and is the record holder for steer wrestling in the Australian Bushmen’s Campdraft and Rodeo Association.

Shane Bird is a five-time New Zealand Rodeo Cowboys Association bullfighter of the year. Both will be taking part in the rodeo.

“Warren and I first met and fought bulls together at the Australian Bull Riding Championship in Kundabung Australia in 2006,” Mr Bird said.

“Both of us have travelled to Canada separately to fight bulls.”

The rodeo starts at 10am on Sunday December 27 and is held at Birrell Street.