About 600 denim-clad spectators gasped collectively when competitors tumbled off animals, but they spurred competitors on with cheers and shouts across the seven events.
The most noise was heard for the barrel racers as they sped around three barrels, with the top four all placing in the 16-second bracket.
Three of the top four in saddle bronc hail from Otago, with Palmerston rider Paul Robinson winning the first go-round.
Simon Roughan, of Lawrence, was third followed by Larry Williamson, of Mosgiel. Other well-placed Otago competitors included Joe Fentiman, of Outram (bareback), Angie Perkins, of Wanaka, and Henrietta Purvis, of Oamaru (both in barrel racing).
Middlemarch also held strong with Stacey Atkinson (steer wrestling), Michael Sanderson (team roping), Bruce Thomas and Kathy Tisdall (team roping) receiving top placings.
Music by Dunedin band the Yardmen rounded off the evening.
The action continues today with the second go-round (but first of the day) beginning at noon, followed by the final go-round mid-afternoon. A wine and food festival, sideshows, and family entertainment will carry on throughout the day, beginning at 10am.
Results from the first go-round, day one were. -
Bareback: Scott Graham, 77 points (1); Joe Fentiman, 72 (2); Rex Church, 71 (3); Michael Sherning, 58 (4).
Rope and tie: Patrick McCarthy, 12.395sec (1); Anthony Perkins, 14.235 (2); Aaron Church sen, 15.195 (3); Rex Church, 16.87 (4).
Saddle bronc: Paul Robinson, 77 (1); Ramoan Neho, 76 (2); Simon Roughan, 67 (3); Larry Williamson, 61 (4).
Barrel racing: Abby Hutchinson, 16.509 (1); Angie Perkins, 16.607 (2); Katie Fisher, 16.721 (3); Henrietta Purvis, 16.802 (4);Steer wrestling: Hayden Church, 6.42sec (1); Stacey Atkinson, 7.46 (2); Chris Hood, 8.82 (3).
Team roping: Mark Stewart and Michael Sanderson, 10.83 (1); Rex Church and Dean Church, 16.665 (2); Ken Dromgool and Miro Parsonson, 17.06 (3); Bruce Thomas and Kathy Tisdall, 30.795 (4).
Bull riding: Darryn Bird, 87 (1); Jono Reed, 81 (2); Dean Church, 68 (3); Johnson Davis, 63 (4).
