ON THE RUN: Klay Lanigan shows fine technique in competing in the steer wrestling at the Tough Enough to Wear Pink Rodeo at Peria on Saturday.
ON THE RUN: Klay Lanigan shows fine technique in competing in the steer wrestling at the Tough Enough to Wear Pink Rodeo at Peria on Saturday.
Homegrown cowboys were in the money during the various events on the NZRCA 2014/15 circuit known as the Christmas Run.
Leading the charge for the Far North were the Lanigan whanau from Mangamuka, namely brothers Bradley and Klay who placed first and second respectively in the rope and tie atthe Far North Rodeo in Kaitaia on Friday. The brothers were the runners-up in the team roping, while Bradley finished second equal in the bull ride with Klay fourth.
The Lanigans have enjoyed rich form during the Christmas Run being in the prize money at other events.
Father Matt was second in the rope and tie at the Tough Enough to Wear Pink rodeo at the Peria Saleyards on Saturday, while Klay and Bradley were second and third respectively in the bull ride. The Lanigan boys also featured in the prize money at the Warkworth rodeo on New Year's Day, in both bull ride and team roping.
Also notable was Ramoan Neho winning the saddlebronc at the Kaitaia rodeo. The local barrel racing girls didn't fare so well in the open divisions during the Christmas run, however, although those contesting the lower-tier second and junior divisions ensured some of the prize money up for grabs went back to the district.
Meanwhile, one of the highlights from the barrel racing at the Kaitaia rodeo was six-year-old Holly Church of the renowned Church whanau from Rotorua who won the junior division in a remarkably fast time of 16.19s on father Rex's well-trained horse while delighting many spectators with her uncanny horsemanship.
All three events in the Far North - including the second division Wild Out West at Umawera on Sunday - enjoyed blistering hot Far North summer conditions. A gallery of images from both Kaitaia and Peria rodeos - as taken by Age sportsbuster, Francis 'The Offsider' Malley - will be available for viewing on the Age website shortly.
