New Zealand barrel racing champion Angie Perkins, of Wanaka,
was thrilled to win her event in front of a large and
supportive home crowd at Wanaka Rodeo's new arena yesterday.
Ms Perkins (30) is a shepherd at Lake McKay Station, where
she has worked alongside her partner, station manager Josh
Meehan, for four years.
Yesterday she pocketed a $700 cheque for winning the barrel
race, continuing a string of successes over the summer.
The Southland-raised cowgirl has won every barrel race on the
Christmas circuit, except for one at Waimate where she
finished second.
Today she competes at the final Christmas-circuit rodeo in
Christchurch, with the same winning goal in mind, before
launching herself into the southern rodeo circuit throughout
Otago and Southland from next month and defending her
national title in Lawrence in March.
"This is my local club and this crowd was just awesome. I
think the club is excited about what we've achieved and to
win in front of my local crowd is awesome," Ms Perkins said
yesterday.
Thousands of spectators enjoyed the rodeo from a grassed
embankment overlooking the arena set up on the Albert Town
reserve, near the Hawea River.
Conditions were sunny, windy and dusty, with temperatures
reaching 21degC.
Wanaka Rodeo Club president Roger Moseby said the club was
"pretty chuffed" by the trouble-free event.
"It was fantastic. Nothing else could describe it. Awesome
crowd, awesome rodeo ... Everything went perfectly. We are
looking to build on that next year," he said.
The huge crowd had not been counted. Nor had the club had a
chance yesterday to count the donations taken for St John,
which is the club's major beneficiary (the club matches crowd
donations dollar for dollar).
The club also supports Riding for Disabled, which sold the
programmes this year.
The clean-up was done by the Wanaka Rowing Club and there had
been no problems with rubbish, Mr Moseby said.
St John officers reported two cases where cowboys had been
referred to the Wanaka Medical Centre.
A man required treatment after he was kicked by a bull and a
boy was assessed for an injured back. Other injuries were
treated on site with ice and sticky tape.
Traffic congestion on State Highway 6 had been a concern
before the rodeo and police were controlling the one-lane
Albert Town bridge near the rodeo access at one stage of the
afternoon.
Mr Moseby said traffic congestion was minimised because
entertainer Kaylee Bell performed for about two hours after
the rodeo ended, delaying the departure of many patrons.
The rodeo held a liquor licence and Mr Moseby was not aware
of any intoxication issues.
Detective Dave Evans said he understood the rodeo had not
caused the police any major issues.
A minor car accident at the intersection of state highways 6
and 8 required traffic control for a short time, he said.
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