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The Warkworth Rodeo will be held on Saturday February 6, after torrential rain on New Year’s Day forced its postponement.
In the last 25 years, the event has been cancelled only four times and this will be its second postponement.
Rodeo secretary Krista Fletcher says that when the rain is constant, the main concern is the safety of the stock and the riders.
“Plus, there would be fewer spectators paying at the gate and our gate revenue is an integral part of running a successful rodeo next year,” she says.
The day’s programme is unchanged and competitors have to enter through the Central Entry system again.
“Warkworth will be the first of three consecutive rodeos – Kaitaia and Oruru Valley will be running on February 7 and 8 – so we fully expect to have entries from the South Island where there is only one rodeo scheduled for the same weekend.
“Hopefully the weather will be kind to us and we have a good day.”
Meanwhile, animal rights activists from the group Direct Animal Action saw the New Year in with a strong stand against animal cruelty outside the Warkworth Rodeo arena, despite the event’s postponement.
More than 40 activists assembled in front of the empty arena calling for the government to ban rodeo in New Zealand.
The activists displayed large photographic images depicting animal cruelty documented at the Warkworth Rodeo and at other rodeos across New Zealand.
“Regardless of the postponement today the rodeo season continues throughout the country and animals will still be suffering. We have more protests planned,” spokesperson Kathleen Lafferty said.
