Rodeo turns pink in aid of good cause

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By Ellie Constantine on Mon, 8 Feb 2010
Your Town: Waikouaiti | News: Dunedin
Luke Barnett, of Wanaka, loses the battle with his ride in the second division bull ride event at the Waikouaiti Rodeo yesterday. Photo by Gerard O'Brien.
Luke Barnett, of Wanaka, loses the battle with his ride in the second division bull ride event at the Waikouaiti Rodeo yesterday. Photo by Gerard O'Brien.
The Waikouaiti Rodeo turned a bit pink yesterday, and it was not from too much sunshine or the embarrassment of a bull getting the better of a rider.

Cowboys and girls, rodeo clowns, spectators and even horses wore pink in support of the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation in the CRT Tough Enough to Wear Pink event.

Club past president Gary Fentiman said the day was "really good" and despite the sun not playing its part, there was no rain to dampen the 400 spectators' spirits.

More than $9700 was raised for the Breast Cancer Foundation through sponsorship and merchandise.

The club was "over the moon" to raise so much for the cause, he said.

With all the pink paint splashed about for the event, he hoped the themed event would continue in the future.

About 230 competitors from all over New Zealand entered the 46th annual event, the fourth on the Southern Circuit.

Those from the North Island often stayed in the lower South Island for a few weeks to take part in the Southland, Mataura, Outram and Waikouaiti rodeos, before going on to the Lawrence Rodeo this Saturday, he said.

Outram Rodeo publicity officer Fred Doherty said a "good crowd" turned out on Saturday to enjoy a great day in "glorious weather".

After changing the usual format to just the open performance, a "short, sharp, compact, high energy day" was had by all.

After coming all the way from Australia, feature cowboy Shane O'Loughlin failed to catch his steer in the steer wrestling and did not post a time, he said.

ellie.constantine@odt.co.nz

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No laughing matter

Submitted by Schneids on Tue, 09/02/2010 - 2:44pm.

You might think that using electric prods and revolving spoked spurs and other sharp objects on defenceless animals in the name of entertainment is a cause for jocularity, but I don't.
Cancer sufferers deserve our compassion and support, but that's no excuse for inflicting suffering and trauma on animals.

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Fundraising - cruelty to animals

Submitted by Hype.O.Thermia on Tue, 09/02/2010 - 1:31pm.

A rodeo? How horrifying. I need to have lie-down and a cup of tea to get over it. Why couldn't the Breast Cancer Foundation raise money through sausage sizzles?
Good, feeling better now, thanks for caring.

During my lie-down I thought, "The rodeo animals go home afterwards...."
And I am not entirely certain they hate the rodeo all that passionately anyway. Animals play rough when they are left to their own devices and, when not under the mixed-blessing management of humans, they are subject to terror, maiming and death by predators, when they don't manage to inflict damage harder and faster than the other guy. They do not always even get enough to eat.

Life for all animals - even humans - can be hard, but we treasure it. We even try to treat cancer, and we are getting better and better at that , thank goodness. Many people with breast cancer are walking around after having had a horrible time with surgery and chemo and radiotherapy, walking around healthy appreciating the good things in life.

Sausages, on the other hand, are animals that will never see the green green grass of home again.
I think I need another lie-down.

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A sad way to raise money

Submitted by Schneids on Tue, 09/02/2010 - 7:21am.

What a pity a good cause like the Breast Cancer Foundation has to resort to accepting money from an "entertainment" event involving cruelty to animals. I for one won't be donating money to them in the future.

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