Rodeo competitors show their support

Waikouaiti rodeo competitor Chanelle Dickie has been doing the circuit for years, but she had a new accessory at the New Year’s Day event.

The Invercargill-born rider got engaged at the Millers Flat Rodeo on Boxing Day, when partner Simon Higgs surprised her by going down on one knee with a ring.

It was a fitting location for the life-long rodeo enthusiast, who said she had been competing for six or seven years.

Travelling to rodeos with her family as a child, she had longed to be in the arena herself.

"As a kid, I was always sitting on the bank, and I thought it looked easy — it isn’t."

Miss Dickie and horse Utah took part in two events at Waikouaiti; the second division breakaway roping and the barrel race.

The latter event, where the horse and rider make tight turns around barrels in the fastest time possible, was now "a full-blown addiction".

Now based near Christchurch, the Selwyn Equestrian Centre owner also taught horse riding, including barrel racing, for a living.

Her top tip was the need for speed.

"If you’re not scared to death, you’re not going fast enough."

Many participants at the rodeo took part in the Tough Enough To Wear Pink campaign to raise funds for Sweet Louise and the Breast Cancer Foundation.

Miss Dickie stood out in head-to-toe pink, from her hair to her finger tips.

She had always loved the colour, and it was in support of a great cause, she said.

Rodeo president Bruce Thomas said the day had been "outstanding", with an estimated turnout of 2000 people.

The higher than usual numbers could be because people were keen to be out and about with Covid posing less of a barrier than previously, he said.

"It was a great day for all involved, and the stock all went well," he said.

fiona.ellis@alliedpress.co.nz