James Murphy
DUST off the Akubra and pull on your cowboy boots, because the 2023 Dartmoor Chute Out Rodeo is set to be a big one.
The 21st annual rodeo will once again be hosted by the Dartmoor Football Club, with all signs pointing to a bumper crowd.
A total of 216 cowboys and girls will compete across a range of events, with spectator entertainment guaranteed.
Dartmoor Footbal Club president Ryan Childs said all was going well, with setup starting on Wednesday.
“Hopefully it is a really big one again,” he said.
“There are no Covid rules now and entries are pretty good.”
Woodall Rodeo Promotion’s Tony Woodall expected some strong competition across all categories.
“We are looking for a big crowd and they are all good riders,” he said.
Plenty of competitors have been kept in South Australia over the last few weeks, with back-to-back events keeping riders busy.
“There has been a rodeo every weekend,” Woodall said.
“There was Penola, then they went across to Wilmington over Port Augusta way, we ran that with our stock and then they come back to (Dartmoor).
“Then we have Branxholme the following weekend.”
Numbers look good for the event, including a 33-strong field in the second division bullride.
“We have record entries in the second division bullride,” Woodall said.
The feature event in the Open bullride had eight entrants at the time of print, which always keeps spectators on the edge of their seats.
Looking to the bucking broncs and Woodall gave his expert predictions.
“Dean Oliver in the Open saddlebronc and Cody Tyrell in the bareback (are the favourites),” he said.
“There is a good line up in the Open bullride too.”
Another popular category is the women’s barrel race, which has 32 entrants.
The junior events never fail to entertain, with a handful of junior bull riders and 16 entered in the junior barrel race.
The annual Calcutta will be held tonight at the Dartmoor Hotel at 7.30pm, while gates are open from 4pm tomorrow with action to kick off at 6.30pm.
Free camping will be available on the Sporting Complex grounds, with live music until late.
