Rodeo rings in the New Year

Mitchell's professional rodeo has grown since the last event, much to the enjoyment of competitors.

ACTION-PACKED: The 2019 Australian Pro Rodeo tour officially kicked off at Mitchell on Monday night. Picture: Jorja McDonnell

RODEO: The 2019 Australian Pro Rodeo tour officially kicked off at Mitchell on Monday night, with keen riders from across Queensland and New South Wales coming to town to garner some early-season points and prizemoney.

Starting off with the rope and tie and the open saddlebronc ride, punters who made it to the Mitchell Combined Sports Club before sunset were treated to a preview of the action to come during the course of the evening.

The rodeo had grown in comparison to the 2017 event and included roping events on top of the rough stock and barrels.

Those additions were great news for the Caban family, who trained and competed in the sport together, and travelled from Emerald to be involved at the event, said matriarch Leanne.

"It's a great little rodeo and more events meant everyone could go, because rodeo is our family's sport,” she said.

"My son scored his first win in the team roping alongside my husband, and my daughter placed fourth in the ladies' barrel race.”

Mrs Caban placed second in the ladies' barrels and also had the privilege of opening the rodeo alongside daughter Madison, who carried the Australian flag in the arena.

Having hosted a pro rodeo for the second time in recent years, the Mitchell RSL and Combined Sports Club pulled off another successful event, with secretary Jeff Watson saying things were continuing to look up.

"We were really happy with the rodeo, it was a good night and we learned a few things.”

"We are planning to do it again next year and run it even better,” he said.

Mitchell was one of two pro rodeos held on New Year's Eve.

Originally published as Rodeo rings in the New Year