Collinsville’s Pit Pony Tavern hosting New Year’s Eve bullride

A country pub is putting on a New Year’s Eve bullride catering for both vaccinated and unvaccinated riders amid government vax mandates.

Collinsville Pit Pony Tavern owner Janet Lobegeier will put on a bullride for vaxxed and unvaxxed rider on NYE.

A country pub is putting on a New Year’s Eve bullride catering for both vaccinated and unvaccinated riders as hospitality venues feel the pressure amid government vax mandates.

The popular bullride event will be held in the car park at Collinsville’s Pit Pony Tavern – only this year it will include a separate area for unvaccinated riders to compete only.

Venue owner Janet Lobegeier said there would be an unlicensed space at the back of the chutes where unvaxxed riders could compete – however they were not permitted access to the hotel or accommodation.

Janet and Nigel Lobegeier are hosting a NYE bullride at their Collinsville pub.

Mrs Lobegeier said she, like many in hospitality, was having a hard time with the vaccine mandate and had sought advice in relation to this event.

According to the rules, she said, she could accommodate a private outdoor area with up to 20 people unvaccinated – but, Mrs Lobegeier reiterated, the unvaccinated riders had to leave after they had competed and could not be part of the ongoing NYE festivities at the hotel.

There were about 200 people at last year’s event, she said, which she expected to “drop significantly” for this December 31.

“Maybe 150 tops,” she said.

So far there were 14 signed up to compete across four categories: two in the open and four each in novice, junior and mini.

“I’m doing it for the town because the town wants something,” Mrs Lobegeier said.

“The actual whole event itself is very quiet.”

Pit Pony Tavern in Collinsville.

Despite this, Mrs Lobegeier said she was optimistic the family friendly event would cover its costs “and that the town and kids will enjoy it … like they did last year”.

Nominations are open across five events and prizes include $2000 for the open bullride, $1000 for the rookie bull and $500 each for the under 18 junior bull and 11-15 years mini bull.

Tickets are $20 each, with kids free and there will be council fireworks at 10pm. The event kicks off at 6pm, December 31.

Mrs Lobegeier said the hospitality industry was “copping so much” amid the vaccination mandates preventing people who had not been jabbed from attending any bar, club or eatery.

“It’s affecting our business, this non vaccine mandate,” she said.

The state government revealed new rules effective from 5am Thursday for hospitality workers to be masked while patrons did not.

“I don’t see how that works, or what the point of that is,” she said.