THOUSANDS flocked to the Showground for the Dungog Rodeo on Easter Saturday, enjoying a full day of roughriding action, entertainment, and community spirit.
Rodeo organiser Tom Boorer said he was thrilled with how the event turned out.
“The attendance figure was 6,500. [It is a] pretty good result,” Mr Boorer said.
“On Saturday evening I always make it my business to wander about in the crowd, just talking to anyone who takes my eye, to ask them, ‘Are you havin’ a good time?’.
“The answers to that, over and over, were really enthusiastic.
“I must have spoken to 20 folks, probably more, because they were mostly groups, and everyone was anxious to tell me they were really happy to be there. Very gratifying.”
From the thunder of the Open Bull Ride to the speed and skill of the Ladies Barrel Race, the crowd was treated to a jam-packed program of classic rodeo events.
This year saw a special touch added to the prize presentations.
The winners of the four main events received the traditional silver buckles as trophies, but for the first time, the Dungog Men’s Shed stepped in to craft unique wooden trophies for all other event winners.
Each handcrafted piece was proudly engraved with the event name and year, giving competitors a memento to treasure.
The Dungog Rodeo, known for its family-friendly atmosphere and spectacular natural amphitheatre setting, once again proved why it remains the biggest and best-loved rodeo in the Hunter region.
By Shannon BENTON
