Lawrence Rodeo attracts top riders

Bareback rider Ross Dowling will be back again this year as well as a number of big name riders.

Some of the biggest names in rodeo are stampeding down to Lawrence next week for the district's annual summer rodeo.

Rodeo vice-president Murray Hellewell said the best bullriders from around the country would be travelling south to take part in the January 28 event.

The field would include members of the well-known Church family, from the North Island.

The contingent would include Merv, Aaron and Paddy Church.

''They're the next-generation cowboys coming down ... and they're going pretty good at the moment,'' Mr Hellewell said.

The Lawrence Rodeo would have almost 15 bullriders taking part, well up on the tally at other events. Riders would be trying to secure places in the national final.

Some of the local riders include last year's rope and tie champion, Anthony Perkins, team roper Timothy Evans and bareback rider Ross Dowling.

There were about 250 riders registered in the many events to be held throughout the day.

A highlight would be the Undie Run, in which competitors run through an obstacle course in their underwear trying to win some of the $1000 prize pool.