Top cowboys join golden celebration

Today's Rerewhakaaitu rodeo gets under way at 9.30am. Photo / File

It's a golden year at the Rerewhakaaitu Rodeo - this year the Boxing Day event celebrates its 50th anniversary and it's going to be bigger and better than before.

National and international acclaimed competitors are set to ride at the event.

The golden anniversary, plus the fact it is the first rodeo show on the Christmas circuit, means it will be a great day out for families of all ages.

Competitors range in age from the beginners at 5 years old, through to seasoned cowboys in their 60s.

As well as the top cowboys there will also be the top stock, so spectators will get to see the creme de la creme in action.

There will be New Zealand's premier Parklee bucking bulls and "exceptional" bucking horses taking the centre stage.

"We're hoping for good weather and lots of people, that will be the icing on the cake," Rerewhakaaitu Rodeo Club president Clarry Church said.

"She's going to be a big celebration, we've got all the cowboys from across the country and the next generation of young Churches."

Among them will be Merv Church Jr, who won the Professional Bull Riders event in Christchurch last month.

Clarry Church said the success of the family in rodeo was down to the patriarch, Merv Church, who won 30 national titles to become the country's most decorated cowboy.

"We aspire to be like him, it's in the blood.

"The younger generation are coming through now and they're all pretty sharp."

This is the first rodeo on the calendar with other events in Gisborne, Opotiki, Taupo on December 29, Warkworth, Kaitaia and Whangarei.

Fact file

What: Rerewhakaaitu Rodeo
Where: Rerewhakaaitu Domain, Ash Pit Rd
When: Today 9.30am to 3.30pm
How much: Adults $10, children $5