Once again the Braidwood Rodeo will host the ABCRA Southern Zone finals ensuring all the best competitors from far and wide will be battling for points to guarantee themselves a shiny new trophy buckle or saddle. Rodeo stock will also be putting on their best performances in the roughstock events of Bull Riding, Bareback and Bronc Riding. Highly skilled cowpeeps and their  well-trained mounts will be testing their skill and agility in the timed events which include Barrel Racing, Team Roping, Steer Wrestling & Undecorating, Rope & Tie and Breakaway Roping.

So that means all the crowd has to do is muster themselves, slap on a hat, boots and a bit of rodeo bling and head on out to the showground for more bang than you could expect for your buck. There will be bulls, broncs, roping and riding. There will be hanging on, getting hung up and getting thrown out the back door. There will be can chasing- in the arena and at the bar. There will be a whole lot of people who know how to entertain and be entertained. There will be foodstalls, sideshows, street stalls and a mechanical bull.

If that’s not enough there will be a few locals throwing their hats in the ring, and themselves about the arena. Once again the rodeo will feature a Local Steer Ride, a Local Barrel Race, a Poddy Ride and there is even whispers of a Poly Buckjump. Entries for these events will be taken at the Office in the Collett Stand on the day before 10am or until limited spaces are filled.

And as rodeo is not for the feint hearted the action doesn’t stop when the sun goes down. It is then time to head indoors and kick your heels up at the Presentation Dinner. Have a hearty feed and dance the night away to the tunes of the ‘Lumpy Underdaks’.

So don’t dilly dally about on Saturday 12th April. Whether you are a rodeo enthusiast or just want to be entertained, it is a great day out for everybody. Gates open early with the Main Events gaining momentum from 11am. Entry is $15 adults, or $5 for kids & concession. The rodeo finishes at approximately 5pm if all runs smoothly. Dinner is served from 6.30pm and costs $20 per head with tickets available for purchase from the bar on the day.  The presentation is from 7pm. Band kicks off at 8pm. Lights out at midnight and everyone is welcome to stay over on their best behaviour if they help clean up the next day.

A couple of housekeeping matters to pay attention to:

There will be NO BYO alcohol to the event this year. Security will be checking vehicles at the gate so save everybody time and yourself money by leaving those cheeky little bevvies at home. The Rodeo Club endeavours to stock a range of drinks to try and keep most people happy most of the time.

Security will be monitoring people that try and sneak in the back door, or the back gate, or over the front fence. Events like this are costly to put on, have financial benefit to the community but not to the volunteers who help run it, and not paying $15/$5 for an entertaining day out makes you look like a bit weak.

With all that said, the Braidwood Rodeo Club looks forward to seeing you all at the 2014 rodeo, and we will do our darn’dest to put on the good show you’re getting to know and love.

Kate Mitchell