The event was the second of six rodeos in a series which began at Millers Flat on Boxing Day and will finish with the Canterbury rodeo on January 3.
Waimate Rodeo Club secretary Craig Booth was happy with the entries of about 200 across 15 events, ranging from the junior sheep ride to the open bull ride.
The rodeo was part of Christmas in Waimate and held pride of place on the social calendar alongside the Waimate Strawberry Fare, he said.
"We don't have any problems here," Mr Booth said.
"It's basically a family show.
"It's almost a bit too hot but you can't complain."
The Waimate club had supplied the second division event horses which had "grazed around the hills of Waimate", while the horses used in the open division had been contracted by various clubs and would travel to each rodeo, he said.
Each club on the circuit put up a prize pool including entry fees, with $1500 representing the mark at which a second division competitor could progress to the open events.
Reigning open barrel racing champion Angie Perkins, of Luggate, attending her "eighth, ninth or 10th" Waimate rodeo, said her parents had met at a rodeo.
"It's ingrained in me; my whole family rodeos," she said.
That family tended to grow around this time of year.
"Everyone's kind of one big family in rodeo and get around together," she said.
Riders in the bull riding were encouraged to wear helmets and forego the traditional western hats, although most preferred to rise, and fall, in the traditional manner.
The rodeo was facilitated by 53 local sponsors and contributors, ranging from taverns to waste management organisations.
Many of the competitors were to stay overnight in Waimate as it generally offered better grazing for their animals in the summer than Omarama, where the next rodeo in the series would be held today, Mr Booth said.
Brad Caley, of Ashburton, and Stuart de Ridder, of Geraldine, shared the open bareback title; Michael Sanderson, of Middlemarch claimed the rope and tie (11.085sec); Sam Taylor, of Australia, won the open saddle bronc (71 points); and Kate Fisher, of Fairlie, won the open barrel race (16.380).
Greg Lamb, of Gore, came close to the New Zealand record of 3.2sec with a time of 3.305sec in the steer wrestling, Patrick McCarthy and Shane Cooper triumphed in the team roping (10.665sec), while Jack Cleaver, of Lawrence, won the open bull ride (75 points).
