Set to ride at rodeo champs in Wairoa

FALL GUY: Tutira cowboy Graeme Gannon heads for the dirt at Rerewhakaaitu in 2015. Tomorrow he starts his bid for a saddle bronc title at the two-day New Zealand championships in Wairoa. PHOTO/FILE

New Zealand's top rodeo competitors have gathered in Wairoa for their national championships finals which start tomorrow.

The Rodeo takes place in three rounds, the first starting at 4pm tomorrow, and the second and third from 11am Saturday, in the permanent rodeo arena at the Wairoa Showgrounds.

The top eight competitors in each of eight classes throughout the season, based on circuit prize money, have qualified, the outcomes being decided on the total earnings including the final rounds.

New Zealand Rodeo Cowboys Association president Marty Deans, of Outram, near Dunedin, said Rhondine Long from Middlemarch in Central Otago is a clearcut leader in the barrel race, and is set to claim the title for a third consecutive year, but all other titles are still up for grabs.

There is a big Hawke's Bay hope with Graeme Gannon of Tutira holding a narrow lead in the saddle bronc ride.

Other leaders are Fairlie-based Australian John Hughes in the bareback, Aaron Church jnr,of Taupo, in the rope and tie, Bradley Lanigan of Kaitaia, in the steer wrestling, Mark Stewart of Balclutha, in the team roping header, Andrew Jamison from South Canterbury in the team roping heeler and Merv Church jnr of Rerewhakaaitu, in the bull ride.

Mr Deans said the time had come for the more than 50 finalists to prepare mentally for the challenges in conditions which forecast to be ideal late today, although offering some rain tomorrow afternoon.

He said about $15,000 in prize money is at stake.
"But this is not about the prize money - it's about the points," he said.

The championships have been running annually for more than 40 years, and were last held in Wairoa in 2005.