RODEO fans will dust off their Akubras and polish their belt buckles when the 2020 Dartmoor Chute Out Rodeo bucks its way into the southwest Victorian township tomorrow night.
Once again Woodall Rodeo Promotions will provide a night of adrenaline-filled entertainment, with the 19th running of the event.
Hosted by the Dartmoor Football Club, the event is its major fundraiser of the year and will once again be held at the local football oval.
As always, spectators will be treated to a night of thrills and spills, eight seconds at a time.
The battle between man and beast is often won by the latter, but there is no shortage of talented cowboys ready to test their grit against some of the best bulls in the business.
Local cowboy Sam Woodall is a crowd favourite and will test his metal in the open bull ride, while last year’s winner Lachlan Cullican will also return as he attempts to defend his crown.
Dartmoor Football Club president Ryan Childs expects another successful event and said everything would be in order ready for tomorrow.
“We are just waiting for the arena and all that to be set up and a couple of other things and then it’s all ready to go,” he said.
The Dartmoor Rodeo always attracts a crowd and Childs said another strong attendance is anticipated.
“We hope to get around that 2500 to 3000 people mark,” he said.
It is not only the bucking bulls which will be displayed on the night, with the broncos equally entertaining.
Last year’s open saddlebronc winner David Stacey will be back again, while Casterton’s Cody and Tanna Ireland are always in the mix.
Just two riders will take on the open bareback class on the night, while a bumper field will compete in another fan favourite, the women’s barrel race.
A total of 32 cowgirls will test the speed of their steeds in the iconic rodeo event, while the junior barrel race will also be hotly contested.
The rodeo brings together the Dartmoor community and it is a team effort to run such a successful event every year.
Childs said the input of entire community is a positive thing, while it also helps Dartmoor spur into gear in preparation for the football season.
“It is really good for the club, it sets up our whole season really,” he said.
“And it is not just the footy club – it is a whole community thing really.”
The Dartmoor Cricket Club is also involved in the event, with the Lions Club manning the gate and the angling club holding its annual raffle, while the Dartmoor Bush Nursing Centre will also have a stall this year.
Tomorrow’s entertainment does not end with the final bucking bull, with music from Boots N All to keep the party going late into the night, while a mechanical bull will be on site for those seeking a safer way to get amongst the action.
Once again a sideshow will be set up at the venue with a jumping castle, petting zoo and food stalls to keep the youngsters entertained.
Gates open at 4pm, with action starting from 6.30pm Victorian time.
