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29th Easter Rodeo on at Conondale this weekend |
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Written by Administrator
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Tuesday, 29 March 2005 |
On Easter Sunday the cowboys and cowgirls will be thundering around
Conondale?s I and T Smith Arena. The Conondale Rodeo is in its 29th
year and is expected to draw thousands of spectators to the township.
?By
gauging all the phone calls we?ve had from people far and wide, we?re
expecting over 2000 people,? said Conondale Picnic Race Club President
Ian Fleiter. ?Weather permitting this will hopefully
be a record braking attendance.? With that many people
likely to arrive the atmosphere should be electric, with rodeolovers
vocalising support for their favoured participants who will be
desperately trying to stay on their animals.
?We are guaranteed a great atmosphere,? said Ian. ?You always get atmosphere with the sort of crowd numbers we see.?
It?s
great day out featuring a full day?s program of events, a barbecue
lunch and a licensed bar. And the organisers have catered
for the whole family too, with mini motorbikes, junior rodeo events and
jumping castles on-site to entertain the kids.
The
day begins with a 7am start for the Campdraft. There are 15
rodeo events following this, which include Barrel Races, Kids Calf
Rides, Juvenile Steer Rides, Amateur Bullock Rides, Team Penning, Steer
Un-decorating, Wild Cow Milking and the main event ... the Open Bullock
Ride, which carries a fantastic trophy and purse of $140.
Sadly
the Rodeo is the sole surviving event on the Conondale Picnic Race
Club?s calendar because the cost of insurance has gone through the
roof. The club?s members have only been able to keep
the rodeo going because the event is affiliated to Queensland?s Rodeo
Association, which helps covers the event with its own
policy. Even so, the club president said that
insurance cover still comes at a great cost to the organisation.
?To
run our day last year we paid $5300 for insurance before we even paid
anything else,? said Ian. ?To me that?s daylight
robbery, but we always try and keep the costs to the public affordable
for an average family.?
It?s free entry for primary school kids. Other admissions are adults $8 and high schoolers $5.
Any further enquiries can be directed to 5494 4560.
The main event for the rodeo is the Open Bullock Ride. Pic: Carol Ferriday
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 02 April 2005 )
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Range News 2005 - ON 
