The Yass Rodeo will return this November, driven by a new committee of experienced rodeo competitors, stock contractors and organisers.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
They say they're eager to throw a fun, community-focused event for the town amid the drought and will have top competitors from the Australian Bushmen's Campdraft and Rodeo Association.
This will be a full rodeo including bull riding, saddle bronc, bareback horse riding, barrel racing and calf roping.
Bucking bulls will be supplied by George Hempenstall of Yass; Gary McPhee will provide his horses from Lurg in Victoria; and well-known rodeo rider Heath Nichols will lend speciality stock for the timed events.
Children under the age of 10 will go for free and tickets will be just $10 for those aged ten to 16 and $20 for adults.
There will also be free parking and plenty of entertainment for the whole family including free face painting and an animal exhibition, a mechanical bull, bar, food trucks and clothing stalls.
"Our focus is to make this an affordable day out for the family and a fast-paced rodeo for spectators," Yass Rodeo Committee member, bucking bull breeder and vet Alex Sedin said.
"We want people to know this is being run as a community-focused event, especially in light of the recent drought conditions," Yass Rodeo Committee member and competitor Alex Bush said.
The gates will open at midday and the rodeo will begin at 4pm, with Larry Cann returning as the announcer from the Professional Bull Riders Bullride in Yass in March.
"Expect it to be action-packed," Mrs Bush said. "We are drawing in the best stock contractors in the business to allow for a good performance."
The popular summer event was cancelled last year just days before it was due to be held.
At the time, Yass Show Society president Rob McAuliffe blamed increasing costs and the condition of cattle due to the drought.
But, George Hempenstall, who usually breeds bulls for the Yass Rodeo and other rodeos nationally, said his livestock were in "prime condition".
Determined not to let the local rodeo disappear from the circuit, Mr Hempenstall began recruiting a committee of people who are the best in the business.
"The Show Society is very happy these guys have come on board. We got to the point where we needed new blood to get it going again, " Show Society president Mr McAuliffe said.
Mr McAuliffe said the stock issue was related to a team sorting competition the society wanted to hold at the rodeo.
"Nothing to do with George's," he said.
There'll be no team sorting this year and Mr McAuliffe said the event looks financially viable "on paper".
The committee is calling on the community to get behind the event to make it a success so it can be held in future years.
Tickets will be available online soon. Follow the Yass Rodeo Facebook page for regular updates.
The Yass Rodeo committee includes: Ash Bush (finance and rodeo competitor - timed events), Clay Bush (farrier and national rodeo competitor - timed events), Alex Sedin (vet and bucking bull breeder), Dean Thyson (teacher and bucking bull breeder), Cynthia Crisp (marketing/admin), Wayne Crisp (bull rider), George and Levi Hempenstall (bull contractor), Wade Nichele (farm hand and bull fighter), Clinton Slater (roping event competitor), Justin Taylor (local farm worker and bull rider) and Rob McAuliffe (Yass Show Society president).
