By Michael Doran
Yarra Valley Rodeo organiser, Jody Wilson, has proclaimed this years event as the best one ever, with a crowd estimated around 4500.
“It gets better and better each year and we are seeing a lot more people coming out from Melbourne,” she said. “The grandstand and ringside seating was completely sold out and it was a really family-friendly day, with lots for the kids to do.
“There were riders from all over Australia and the surface was fantastic, we didn’t have any injuries to riders, horses or the bulls. The riders love this rodeo and that’s why we they keep coming back year after year.
“Everyone had a great view from the big screen and the concert kept going until 11pm, with Mick from Rukus heading up a great night of entertainment for the crowd.”
The switch to Yarra Glen Racecourse has been a success and Ms Wilson said the rodeo will be back next year, bigger and better than ever.
A group of animal liberationists staged a protest at the event to put across their point of view on rodeos and the wellbeing of the animals involved but did not disrupt the day.
