Despite crowd numbers being slightly down on previous years, due to poor weather, the event was a success, Millers Flat Rodeo club president Dick Michelle said.
Mr Michelle, of Coal Creek, said the crowd was well behaved and all 16 separate rodeo events took place as scheduled from 10.30am to 4.30pm.
Controls on alcohol were tightened by the club's committee this year, as alcohol-fuelled disorder had taken place within the wider Millers Flat area on previous rodeo days.
People were barred from taking any alcohol or glass into the event.
There was a licensed booth on site.
Police working in the area were impressed by the behaviour of those attending the event, as well as those within licensed premises nearby.
Almost 200 competitors participated in the rodeo, which included a bull ride, saddle bronc, rope and tie, bareback, barrel race, calf and sheep ride, team roping, and steer wrestling.
Most came from the South Island, although there were a few Australians and one North Island competitor.
Local success came to the Gillespie family of Millers Flat, members of which placed second in their respective events throughout the day.
Brent Gillespie, who now lives at Wanaka, placed second in the toughest event, the open bull ride.
His brother Jason Gillespie, based at Mangaweka, was second in the open saddle bronc, and Brent's son Jimmy Gillespie won second place in the junior calf ride.
The rodeo was the first in the Christmas circuit, which also includes events at Waimate, Omarama, Te Anau, and Wanaka.
Points are collated by competitors throughout the entire rodeo season, which culminates at the national final in February.
