Barrel racer to represent NZ

The Mid Northern Rodeo returns to Maungatapere's rodeo grounds.

Taipa's champion barrel racer Tegan O'Callaghan will represent New Zealand when the Kiwi high school squad takes on its Australian counterparts at the Mid Northern Rodeo.

The event is highly competitive and showcases the best talent both countries have to offer. All competitors have to be high school students to be eligible, but in many cases competitors hold national titles.

The rodeo fun will start January 8 with traditional events including saddle bronc, barrel racing and the always exciting bull ride.

The Australian versus New Zealand High School Challenge will be staged on January 9.

Rodeo provides amazing entertainment with roping, barrel racing, saddle bronc, bareback riding and bull riding. Organisers hope locals will come and cheer on the best of New Zealand's rodeo competitors.

Bucking stock are all Northland bred while Chris McGarry from Umawera is providing the magnificent bulls.

The bulls are purpose bred for bucking off cowboys and have recently been used by the International Rodeo in Hamilton where they were ridden by cowboys from all over the world. The horses used for the saddle bronc and bareback riding events are owned by the Mid Northern Rodeo Club and are raring to get the cowboys off their backs.

The Mid Northern Rodeo is just one event in a circuit of more than 35 across the country.

The committee of the Mid Northern Rodeo has been working hard to ensure that the grounds are in perfect condition for the annual event.

There will be no licensed bar this year due to the high cost of compliance to the club.