Helping hand for Kiwi cowboys

Jerrad Hofstetter watches as Stu Moore, of Roxburgh, lassoes a practice calf on Dandy. Photo by Stephen Jaquiery.

New Zealand rodeo competitors learned the ropes in Middlemarch yesterday.

Professional rodeo cowboy Jerrad Hofstetter, from Lubbock, Texas, showed the locals some tricks at a rope and tie school.

''I'm showing them how to rope and tie. You aim at the back of the calf's neck,'' he explained.

''This is my first time here and it's a beautiful country. Yessir.

''This is just like our schools at home. We have more people that do it; that's all. They really enjoy it so much more here. At home, the guys get so competitive and they forget the fun part. Sometimes. I don't like that. It's about fun.''

Mr Hofstetter, whose Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association career earnings stand at $US426,109 ($NZ506,040), learned to rope after he fashioned a home-made lasso out of an old rope when he was 11.

''You learn what you're doing right and what you're doing wrong,'' veteran Otago Cavalcade trail boss Stu Moore, of Roxburgh, said of the school.

''He teaches you the shortest and easiest way,'' rodeo novice John Priebee, of Alexandra, said.

''For me, it's about the challenge of doing something new. I've followed my wife, Jo, around rodeos for years and thought I'd better have a go at it.''

New Zealand Rodeo Association member Mike Sanderson said the school was held to coincide with a heavy rodeo schedule in the lower South Island this week.

''We have five rodeos in a week, so it's the ideal time to run the school, because every man and his dog is down here.

''Jerrad is helping them improve their roping and rodeo skills. It makes a huge difference. The Americans are 20 years ahead of us, although guys like Jerrad coming over are helping us to close the gap.''

Organiser Kim Wensor, of Taupo, said 20 cowboys from around New Zealand attended the three-day course at Middlemarch farmer Don Tisdall's property.

''It's something that we're going to do every year. Rodeo is really growing in New Zealand. It's a fun sport which the whole family can enjoy. Everyone loves going to the rodeo.''

Mr Hofstetter will compete in the calf-roping at the Outram Rodeo today, before returning to Texas on Friday.

He also entered the event at the Lawrence and Waikouaiti rodeos last weekend - and won them both at a canter.

- nigel.benson@odt.co.nz