New Zealand’s southern most rodeo event is happening at Sandy Point this Saturday, with an expected crowd of around 3000.

The Southland Rodeo Association Inc is part of a southern circuit that includes Lawrence, Outram, Mataura, Wanaka. Millers Flat, and Ranfurly.

The club had about 30 members and was part of the NZ Rodeo Cowboys Association.  

Competitors in the circuit gained valuable points that enabled them to qualify for the national Rodeo event on March 22 in Waikato.

New Southland Rodeo president Andy Scobie said cowboys and cowgirls came from all over the country to be involved in events over a 10-day period in the south, and they were expecting more than 300 competitors this Saturday.

Now in its 66th year, the Southland Rodeo brought the community together “to experience the whole country coming to town.”

He said it wasn’t just about the competitors either - “the stock are athletes in their own right, with hours of training involved, and the bulls just love it.  It’s man against beast and the beast usually wins.”

The event was a true family day out – much like the other popular rodeos in the south, including in Wanaka over Christmas-New Year that attracts crowds of up to 6000.

Competitors would be fresh from the last rodeo in Outram on Thursday and ready to ride.

Andy said for many of horses involved, they spent 360 days in the Takitimu mountains roaming free, and only worked for five days each year for the rodeo both in Southland and in Te Anau. 

Gates open at 9am : Adults $20. Child $5. Family $40, EFT-POS available.

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