THE inaugural York Rodeo was held on November 14 to much success.
With just short of 3000 people attending and almost 300 competitors, it went off like clockwork.
The York Rodeo is a pivotal event which can involve the whole community from businesses, to clubs and associations.
It also keeps young people involved in a sport which respects animals and each other.
The event preliminaries started at 9am but it was hot, dusty and oppressive.
Then after the preliminaries, about 4pm, the arena was hit by a freak thunderstorm after sweltering through 41 degree heat.
The gale force winds blew the dust and the rain pelted down between the events.
Before the main event the crowds had disappeared.
But the riders, the Australian Bushman’s Camp draft and Rodeo Association (ABCRA) officials and the event organisers, with help of some diehard fans, dusted themselves off, cleaned up the debris left by the storm and prepared for the main event at 6pm.
The rain settled the dust, the wind disappeared and it was an awesome sight.
The main show went on and the spectators returned - all 3000 of them.
The arena was packed and the action was full on.
It was a great family event and the bar rocked until 11.30pm.
The event exceeded everyone’s expectations.
The objective is to develop western horsemanship in and around the Avon Valley by hosting two or three rodeos each year as well as supporting minor events.
It is hoped if the community, businesses and the Shire council get behind the York Rodeo, it will become an iconic event for the state, if not Australia.
