Rodeo action

Non-stop action and family fun will be on offer when the Neerim Rodeo Challenge is held at the Neerim Recreation Reserve on Saturday.

Be inspired to take on the bucking bull ride or even enjoy a magic carpet ride.

Moving to a more summer-friendly twilight timeslot, gates will open at 2pm for a range of family-focused activities before all the rodeo action kicks off around 6pm. It is expected to run until 10.30pm.

There will be open bull rides, open saddle and bareback bronc rides, open rope and tie, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing and junior steer ride and barrel race.

A magic carpet ride, where a person sits on carpet towed behind a horse, will be a new offering.

Neerim District Agricultural and Horticulture Society president Frank Schellekens said, “we’re stepping away from the traditional show” and “we’re working on making it a more community event”.

With the local CFA collecting funds, the local football club running the bar and the local hospital joining in the fun for the first time via a raffle, Mr Schellekens said the event would benefit the entire community.

With the rodeo attracting an estimated 1500 people last year, the committee quickly decided to roll with the times and pursue a different style event in 2020.

“It’s not something we just dreamt up,” Mr Schellekens said.

Whilst there won’t be all the traditional show events seen over the past 100 years, some aspects of the Neerim Show will continue. They include the popular lawn mower racing, laser skirmish and wood carving still offered throughout the afternoon.

“It’s a family event and that’s the way we want to keep it,” he said. “It’s for everyone to enjoy; it’s a whole community event.”

Entries are via the Australian Professional Rodeo Association and opened this week. However, if last year’s fantastic entries are anything to go by, it will be a busy night.

Tickets are $30 for adults, $20 for children aged 17 years and under and $90 for a family of four. Tickets can be purchased via eventbrite.com.au.

Don’t forget to bring a chair. There is strictly no bring your own alcohol or public camping.

The Neerim Recreation Reserve is located on Hamono Rd, Neerim.

Photograph courtesy of Robert Taylor. Right: Enjoy all the thrills and spills when the Neerim Rodeo Challenge returns to Neerim Recreation Reserve on Saturday. Perfect for the entire family, gates open at 2pm for fun activities before the rodeo gets started at 6pm.

Craig James leads the field in the A class event of the lawn mower racing at last year’s show. The races will be a popular attraction on Saturday at the Neerim Rodeo Challenge.