The excitement is building in the lead-up to the Maniototo's first rodeo in several decades, organisers say.
"People are really buzzing about it,'' rodeo committee secretary Kim Parker said.
The rodeo will take place on Waipiata farmland on December 27 and is the first to be staged in the Maniototo for about 20-30 years.
The organisers were "overwhelmed'' at the support local businesses and individuals had shown for the rodeo.
The Waipiata Country Hotel was the major sponsor of the event. Miss Parker declined to place a figure on the hotel's support.
"It's quite fitting that they're the major sponsor as that's where the idea for the rodeo came in the first place, over a few drinks at the pub.''
"That's where the first meeting was held and it's our home, as such, our stomping grounds.
"We're grateful for all the support we've received from so many groups, in so many ways. The rodeo wouldn't even get off the ground without all that help.''
Lots of preparation has gone into the one-day event and the facilities had to be constructed from scratch.
The grounds house a 70m by 50m rodeo arena in a natural amphitheatre and yards and chutes have been built.
"We're really excited to bring this to the Maniototo. It's going to bring people into the area, competitors and spectators and hopefully some will stay here,'' Miss Parker said.
The Maniototo event is part of the New Zealand Rodeo Cowboys Association Christmas rodeo circuit and is being held the day after the Millers Flat Rodeo and the day before the Omarama event.
Entries for the rodeo were good and there had been an excellent response to three events aimed at Maniototo residents - the locals' steer ride, barrel ride and calf ride.
"That's a chance for the kids and other locals to experience rodeos first hand and have a bit of fun.''
All kinds of fund-raising activities have been held to raise between $30,000 and $35,000 needed to complete the arena and stage the rodeo.
These included raffles and lamb marking and a horse trek last month from Mt Pisa Station to Lake McKay Station.
