Pistol, ridden by Janna Nichol, of Outram, goes hard in the 2nd Division Barrel Race. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON : Summer in the saddle: children show skills

Barbi Sarginson (left), of Wanaka, and Kamari Tinirau, of Amberley, enjoy the atmosphere. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON : Summer in the saddle: children show skills

The large crowd watches the action from the grassy grandstand. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON : Summer in the saddle: children show skills

Leoni Skehan, of Waterford in Ireland, shows off her new cowboy hat bought at the rodeo. It will go down well in the South as she is on a working holiday cutting silage near Gore. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON : Summer in the saddle: children show skills

Mason Bird has a good ride in the 2nd Division Bull Ride. He is flanked by bullfighters (from left) Cor Vlaanderen, Glenn Taylor and Claude Armstrong. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON : Summer in the saddle: children show skills

Emma Gunn (left), Barry Johnstone and Katherine Gunn, all of Dunedin, enjoy their picnic lunch. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON : Summer in the saddle: children show skills

Libby Tisdall, of Middlemarch, watches anxiously as she videos her brother William Tisdall compete in the 2nd Division Bull Ride. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON : Summer in the saddle: children show skills

The Millers Flat Rodeo was the third time competing for George McArthy, of Hawea, in his first season on the circuit. PHOTO: TRACIE BARRETT : Summer in the saddle: children show skills

Clara Smith has been competing at rodeos for two seasons on her horse Archie. PHOTO: TRACIE BARRETT : Summer in the saddle: children show skills