Saturday, 7 February 2026

Rodeo provides tune-up for national title contender

    By John Lewis
    1. News
    2. Dunedin

    Emily Daly, of Leeston, tips her hat at the rodeo. PHOTOS: PETER MCINTOSH
    Emily Daly, of Leeston, tips her hat at the rodeo. PHOTOS: PETER MCINTOSH
    When you get a bit down in life and things aren’t really going your way, Johnson Davis reckons a ride on a bull is all it takes "to buck your ideas up a bit".

    "It’s the ultimate test — eight seconds of your life doesn’t seem long, but on the back of a bull, it can seem like a lifetime and it makes you appreciated life more.

    Mason Montgomery, 12, of Oamaru, encourages spectators to read all about the competitors by...
    Mason Montgomery, 12, of Oamaru, encourages spectators to read all about the competitors by buying a programme.
    "And if you can do that — stay on a bucking bull for eight seconds — it makes you feel like you can do anything."

    The Rotorua-based 34-year-old was the New Zealand All-Round Rodeo Champion in 2023, and now he is "chasing the tail of the bull", trying to regain that title.

    William Tisdall, of Middlemarch, prepares for the bull ride.
    William Tisdall, of Middlemarch, prepares for the bull ride.
    He hoped yesterday’s rodeo in Outram had put him on a firm path towards achieving that goal.

    "It’s always good to come down here in front of a great Outram crowd and put on a show.

    Lexie Nicholl, 11, of Invercargill (left), and Estella Meehan, 12, of Gore, watch the action at...
    Lexie Nicholl, 11, of Invercargill (left), and Estella Meehan, 12, of Gore, watch the action at the Outram Rodeo yesterday.
    "So yeah, we’ll be looking to do that."

    Given he and his whānau are of Te Arawa iwi, he had a major clash of commitments yesterday — Waitangi Day celebrations in the north, or rodeo glory in the south. He chose the south.

    Anna Thomas, of Balclutha, chases a calf in the breakaway roping event.
    Anna Thomas, of Balclutha, chases a calf in the breakaway roping event.
    "Yeah, I have Māori connections and Māori whānau, but for Waitangi Day, there’s no other place I’d rather be than here at the rodeo.

    "I’ll celebrate Waitangi Day after I ride my bull."

    Johnson Davis, of Rotorua, works his way towards another national title at yesterday’s rodeo.
    Johnson Davis, of Rotorua, works his way towards another national title at yesterday’s rodeo.
    Despite reaching the top echelons of New Zealand rodeo, Mr Davis said he was not a professional rodeo rider.

    Instead, his day job involved working with horses, mustering on high country farms in the Rotorua area.

    A large crowd gathered for the rodeo yesterday.
    A large crowd gathered for the rodeo yesterday.
    "So I’m actually a real life cowboy."

    Injuries come with the territory when rodeos and horse riding are involved, and Mr Davis said he had his fair share of them.

    "I’ve had a few broken bones here and there through the years, but when you get a win under your belt at a rodeo, it’s all worth it.

    Warren Blakely, of Dunedin, gets a closer look at the action.
    Warren Blakely, of Dunedin, gets a closer look at the action.
    "As long as you’re upright, you have a good positive outlook and you walk away with your head held high, you’re in a good place."

    There were more than 100 riders from as far away as Australia and 2000 spetators at yesterday’s event.

    john.lewis@odt.co.nz

     

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