Federated farmers supportive of by-the-book rodeo

Hawke's Bay Federated Farmers president Will Foley said the organisation supports rodeo events as long as they follow the animal welfare codes they have to adhere to. Photo/File

Rodeo might not have a place in New Zealand farming practices but Federated Farmers doesn't take issue with the spectator sport, on the basis that it follows welfare codes.

The organisation's Hawke's Bay president, Will Foley, said aside from the livestock involved in rodeos Federated Farmers was fairly removed from such events.

"Federated Farmers supports rodeo events that are held and the people that run them as long as they follow the animal welfare codes that they have to adhere to, just as farmers have to on their own farms.

"As long as they're following those guidelines and rules we've got no issue with the events being held."

According to Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand, rodeo's origins can be traced back to the west of the United States, where cowboys' skills in herding cattle were brought into the ring for sport.

It first appeared in New Zealand in the early 1960s and, after a national championship began in 1973, there were 32 rodeos over the summer season by the mid 2000s.

Mr Foley said the general feel about rodeos among Hawke's Bay farmers seemed positive.

"From experience my assessment would be that rural farmers and communities are supportive of the events by and large. They do hold them in Waipukurau and they're pretty well supported."

Major events in rodeo include bareback where the rider tried to stay on a bucking bronco, rope and tie where a calf is lassoed and saddle bronco where a rider tries to stay on a bouncing horse, according to Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand.

Team roping, barrel racing, steer wrestling and bull riding were also included in the rodeos which were deemed popular in country districts as a spectator sport.

Despite protests rodeos were recurring events in New Zealand because of the community support behind them, Mr Foley said.

"If they're getting people along to these events, as spectators it's their decision. There's obviously there's a demand for it otherwise it wouldn't carry on.

"It's down to individual choice to go along and experience that sport as entertainment, instead of watching a rugby game or something like that."

Although he would prefer to watch a rugby game rather than a rodeo event, Mr Foley said he wasn't ruling anything out.

"That's not to say I won't. Perhaps I will with all the attention it's getting at the moment and see for myself so I can have a more valid opinion."