Protesting and bull riding at Kihikihi rodeo

Direct Animal Action spokesperson Apollo Taito outside the entrance of the Waikato Rodeo.

Thousands of people wearing cowboy hats lined the banks of the Kihikihi Domain at Saturday's Waikato Rodeo.

The annual event attracted around 3000 people, according to organisers.

According to organisers around 3000 people lined the banks of the Kihikihi Domain for the Waikato Rodeo.

While spectators enjoyed a full day of action, entertainment and food trucks, more than 100 protesters stood outside the domain gates.

The silent protesters, mostly from animal rights activist group Direct Animal Action, held large signs for about one hour.

Half were Waikato locals, the rest came from across New Zealand. They were calling on the new Government to ban rodeo in New Zealand.

More than 100 protesters stand outside the domain gates.

Direct Animal Action spokesperson Apollo Taito says the organisation views rodeo as bullying.

"Rodeo has no place in a 2018 New Zealand," he says.

"We congratulate the Green Party for putting forward a private members' bill that will ban the worst aspects of rodeo — calf roping and flank straps."

Apollo says Saturday's protest was the group's final one for the rodeo season.

Kihikihi resident Sonia Corfe protesting calf roping.

"We'll be back next season bigger than ever if the Government hasn't put a stop to rodeo by then."

Among the protesters was Kihikihi woman Sonia Corfe, who held a sign saying "No to calves, poor things".

The former dairy farmer and SPCA worker says she doesn't want rodeos eliminated altogether — just the calf roping banned.

"I know the calves will be stressed in a hot environment with hundreds of people and lots of noise," she says.

Waikato Rodeo club president Stewart Pederson says the protesters made no impact on the day.

Barrel racing was one of several events at Saturday's rodeo.

"We carried on regardless of them," he says.

"They were a small, flaky, noisy group. They're not genuine animal lovers in my view. They're trying to close down agriculture in the country."

The Rodeo Cowboy Association has to comply with animal welfare rules and a code of conduct, he says.

"We make sure our animals are well cared for. We always have a vet and someone from the SPCA on station."

He said the only animal injury of the day was a horse that slipped over and got dust in its eyes.