Mataura Rodeo

Congratulations to all the Rookie Champions this year!! Time to celebrate your success 🙌

𝗪𝗛𝗢'𝗦 𝗛𝗔𝗩𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗠𝗢𝗦𝗧 𝗙𝗨𝗡!!
It's hard to tell if it's Tilly Taylor and 'Tonto' or if it's her dad, bullfighter Glenn Taylor who is having the best time but it sure was cute to watch them around the drums in the local barrel race proudly sponsored by The Grocer.

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗟𝗔𝗗𝗜𝗘𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗟𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗔𝗧!
The Advance Agriculture Ltd Ladies Breakaway Roping contest was hotly contested and it’s easily one of NZ’s Rodeo’s fastest growing and most exciting events as many of our amazing cowgirls add it to their Barrel Racing skills and Team Roping participation as either header or heeler as they try to chase down their NZRCA All-Around Champion Cowgirl title aspirations, the most prestigious title that was only added as a national title just two years ago.

And hasn’t it made the competition hot!!

We’re starting to get down to the pointy end of the sea*on, the All-Around title is led by Fairlie cowgirl Kate Hughes who has been incredible in the Barrel Racing contest this sea*on with her fabulous mare ‘Sister’ but importantly they gained that ‘second event’ run to put her in contention on her hubby John’s heeling horse, the awesome mare ‘Shenley’s Annie’ in the Breakaway Roping contest at Millers Flat Rodeo NZ on Boxing Day.

And second placed in the All-Around contest is Brooke Atkinson, another Barrel Race specialist who has also added that important ‘second event’ to be in contention for All-Round Cowgirl through the Breakaway Roping event adding it to her long list of Barrel Race titles at the Wairoa Rodeo where they a*o won the Barrel Race contest!

At Mataura, it was Omakau cowgirl Sky Sanders and ‘Cappi’ who claimed first place in 2.86 secs followed by Alexandra cowgirl Amelia Knowles and ‘Koda’ with a 2.975 sec run with Matamata based cowgirl Pyper Sarginson and ‘Zsiska’ ~who placed third with 3.32 secs beside their names.

Cromwell cowgirl Sophie Smith and 'Sid' completed the podium with a time of 3.76 secs.

As to the Breakaway Roping standings, Sky Sanders sits at the top a little over $360 ahead of Sophie Smith then $532 and change back to third placed Queenstown cowgirl Zoe Johnston and ‘Jagger’ it’s another $612 back to fourth placed Te Awamutu cowgirl Lylah Wood.

Looks like a big gap but we have so many cowgirls throwing a loop and there is serious, serious money that will not only define the Breakaway Roping title, it is highly likely to play a defining role in who our All-Around Champion Cowgirl of New Zealand will be for this sea*on.

Can’t wait to watch both these title contests unfold!

Photos and words Stephen Mowbray

We had some great entries in the colouring in comp.
We are looking for a few unclaimed prizes Jayla 10, Gigi Adam 2 and Maisie Fear Shallard. If you know these kids please get in touch