Saddling up for the New Year’s Eve rodeo

There’s less than one week till people ‘rein’ in the new year and the competition is heating up for the annual NYE rodeo.

Warwick rider Tarni Boyce wins the open barrel race at the New Year's Eve Rodeo 2018.

RODEO: Break in the new year at the annual Steele’s Bakery New Year’s Eve Rodeo.

The family fun event will see competitors from across the region compete in the National Rodeo Association affiliated event.

Warwick Show and Rodeo Society rodeo president Peel Tribe said the event was traditionally a great night out for the whole family.

“It’s something for the town folk to come and enjoy,” Tribe said.

“Generally it’s a small rodeo with a good mix of local competitors.”

While this year’s event will be the first affiliated with the National Rodeo Association, Tribe believes that the competition will be just as strong.

“I don’t think it’ll make much difference to the people that enter,” he said.

“There’s always some handy local riders that turn up and enjoy it.”

Show society marketing co-ordinator Teliah McKelvey said the event, now into its fifth year, tends to be more relaxed.

“Last year we had really good numbers honestly,” McKelvey said.

“Especially because we had a lot more activities for the kids to do and there was entertainment for the whole family.”

Gates for the rodeo open at 4pm next Tuesday night with the events kicking-off at 5pm. Tickets can be purchased at the gate or online for $20.

Originally published as