Alexandra Pro Rodeo kicking off the first event in Victoria since last March

It’s been a long 12 months without rodeo events on in Victoria. But the Alexandra Pro Rodeo is ready to welcome back the crowds to their town.

Jordan Wilkinson gets in some practice in readiness for the return of the Alexandra rodeo after a 12-month lay-off. Picture: Chloe Smith.

RIDERS are gearing up for their first rodeo event in Victoria in 12 months after COVID-19 forced the cancellation of events last year.

The Alexandra Pro Rodeo will be back in the North East Victorian town this long weekend,

and it’s something barrel racer Jordan Wilkinson has been dreaming about.

“I honestly haven’t shut up about it for the past few months,” she said.

Ms Wilkinson said it was a tough 12 months without the events and the community that comes with it, but she couldn’t wait to be back on the ground.

“I’ve been going to rodeos since I was three and always wanted to be involved and get out there,” she said.

Organiser Andrew Embling said the event — which is normally held in the second week of January — had been postponed twice already but was set to go ahead this weekend.

“I was determined that we would run a rodeo and do everything in our power to make a COVID plan for it to go ahead,” he said.

Mr Embling said the events were financially significant to small towns such as Alexandra, especially after the pandemic forced the cancellation of so many events last year.

“Our rodeo in the past brought into our community over $500,000.”

“People come to the town prior to the rodeo, they go to the shops, they stay at accommodation. So that’s another need, we need the flow-on tourists coming through and being part of the town,” he said.

MORE

WHY AUSSIE AG CAN’T TURN A BLIND EYE TO TIK TOK

FEBRUARY IN PHOTOS: A REVIEW