SPECTATORS will enjoy thrills and spills when the Penola and District Community Rodeo bucks into McCorquindale Park on Saturday night.
A number of Australia’s best rodeo riders will battle with some of the toughest bulls and broncs in the country, eight seconds at a time.
Bulls such as Alternator and Jackhammer – yet to be ridden for the full eight seconds – will force their riders to earn every second.
Primarily used as a fundraiser for the Penola War Memorial Hospital, ambulance station, schools and scouts, committee member and promotions officer Gordon Childs said he again looked forward to the event.
“The line-up of riders is the best we have ever had, it is a really high standard,” he said.
“It will be another great night of entertainment.
“The event is not only for Penola, but the entire region.
“It is a terrific night, people from all over Western Victoria throw their support behind it.
“People from as far as Hamilton, Heywood, Portland, Casterton, Coleraine, Warrnambool and Edenhope have all shared interest in this year’s event.”
To keep the youngsters intrigued, Childs said organisers had scheduled a lolly chase for the half time break.
“The Penola rodeo casts a very wide net as far as the crowd goes,” he said.
“People of all ages are obviously welcome to come along.
“It is a very family orientated night.”
Rodeos are becoming more popular in the South East and Childs believes that will reflect positively on the numbers around the arena on Saturday night.
“We are obviously hoping to get a big crowd,” he said.
“Our Facebook site is indicating there are a lot of people interested in the event, which is a positive.”
The interest from spectators has also flowed into the competitors with entry numbers through the roof for this weekend’s event.
“We have really solid numbers, about 50 cowboys and 50 cowgirls have entered,” Childs said.
“There are a couple of top riders such as Tom Willoughby, Bryden Atkins and Zane Brandenburg all coming.
“Plus Australian saddle bronc champion Glen Kent.
“These competitors are all great ambassadors for the sport of rodeo.
“The two Ireland boys – Tanna and Cody – have entered.
“A total of 43 people have entered the barrel racing, which will see competitors like Tammy Woodall and Mundulla’s Sarah Hinge take up the challenge.”
Woodall Rodeo Promotions are again in charge of the stock, which ensures a great night of tough eight-second rides.
“Woodall’s have some great stock and a lot of young bulls that are coming through that will be on show,” Childs said.
“We are grateful to have the Woodall’s on board again, we could not run it without them.”
Childs said while the event is positive for the community, the funds raised also bring extra incentive.
A total of $40,000 has been donated into the Penola community over the last three rodeo events, with $30,000 going to the local hospital and the remaining $10,000 spread across the ambulance station, schools and scouts.
Childs said those figures brought him great joy, particularly the positive feedback on the purchased patient handling equipment.
“This event is all about fundraising,” he said.
“This is the only rodeo event in the nation – that we know of – that raises money for the hospital and ambulance station.
“It benefits the whole Penola community.”
Childs thanked the rodeo committee for their hard work.
“We have been working hard all year,” he said.
“It has been a long process with only eight of us.
“But it is all getting close now and the main thing is we make it a family friendly event with an exciting atmosphere.”
The event will be well catered with a full bar and food available.
Live entertainment from Warrnambool band Three Is Company will take place throughout the break and in completion of the rodeo.
Entry prices for the event will be $20 for adults, $10 for children under the age of 16 and $15 for pensioners.
Gates open at 4pm with action set to kick off at 6pm.
