Rodeo lucky to have local identity ‘Festus’

Oamaru’s Ryan Adam rides bareback in the Waikouaiti Rodeo on New Year’s Day. PHOTOS: ALLIED PRESS FILES

The good news is ‘‘Festus" is going to be there.

At the Waikouaiti Rodeo on New Year’s Day, that is.

Festus, otherwise known as Richard Robinson, is a renowned rodeo clown wanted all over New Zealand

Rodeo clowns help manage large animals and protect fallen riders, particularly from bulls, by distracting them and giving an alternative target to attack.

Waikouaiti Rodeo secretary Dianna Bradshaw said Waikouaiti was lucky because he was a local Dunback boy.

‘‘He is famous in New Zealand and is wanted all over New Zealand. We’re lucky because we’ve got him, he is a local identity."

Waikouaiti’s rodeo shares first place in the rodeo calendar with Warkworth in the North Island in terms of being the first rodeo of the year.

Young rodeo enthusiasts (from left) Kees Leadbeater (11), of Winton, Hunter Perkins (8), of Gore, Monte Armstrong (8), of Kaikoura, Codee Cleaver (7), of Oamaru, Clayton Perkins (10), of Gore, and Jimmy Jones (10), of Hanmer Springs, show their swagger.

Ms Bradshaw is expecting a similar crowd to last year, when 1500 people attended.

‘‘That was an exceptional crowd, but now that the race [New Year’s Day race meeting] no longer happens on the first, people are looking for wholesome family entertainment for the day."

Ms Bradshaw said Waikouaiti Rodeo was just one of 30 in the country.

"We will have cowboys from all over the South Island to compete. We will also have four Australian riders coming over this year."

Cowboys were very busy over the festive season.

Richard Robinson entertains the Waikouaiti crowd.

Before arriving at Waikouaiti, South Island cowboys would have have competed at Millers Flat on Boxing Day, Oamarama on December 28, and Te Anau on December 30.

Ms Bradshaw said Waikouaiti’s rodeo grounds were the most beautiful in the country.

‘‘The beach is right there, so when the cowboys have stopped competing or the crowd wants to cool down they can have a swim. The beach is so underrated."

Animals involved in the event will be trucked in on the day, the bulls that have been trained coming through from Omarama.

For those keen to make the trek, the rodeo starts at the sports grounds at end of Beach Rd at 10am and goes through to 5pm.

Ms Bradshaw said it was a real community event, with help coming from the local Lions club and pony club.

‘‘There will be several New Zealand champions competing at the event, including local identity Ross Dowling, a New Zealand saddle bronc champ."

Events will include bull riding, steer riding, and a barrel race.

GRAHAM.MCKERRACHER@oamarumail.co.nz

Oamaru Mail