Bruises no deterrent for bronco riders

The Christmas rodeo circuit arrived in the Far North in full bucking glory on Tuesday when the Oruru Valley rodeo returned to the Peria Saleyards, attracting large numbers of spectators and participants.

It was a long and bruising day but no major casualties were reported while the mostly overcast conditions ensured no one got too sun-baked.

In the arena, it was business as usual, the day capped off by the high drama of the open bull ride which was eventually taken out by Merv Church, of New Zealand rodeo's Church dynasty, on Silver Dollar.

The Oruru Valley Rodeo wasn't the first rodeo of the 2011/12 summer for a number of local cowboys and girls and it won't be their last, either.

Together with the country's top division two riders; a good number were in action at the Wild Out West Rodeo in Umawera yesterday.

Others are also preparing to ride in two rodeos in the Northland region this weekend; at Warkworth tomorrow and the Mid Northern rodeo in Maungatapere on Saturday and Sunday.

One local to watch out for at the latter event is up-and-coming Mangamuka youngster Klay Lanigan. After winning a calf roping division at Peria, the Taipa Area School student will feature in the junior bull ride at the Mid Northern rodeo as part of the NZRCA High School Team competing against their Australian counterparts in a transTasman challenge series.

A number of other upcoming events on the NZRCA 2011/12 circuit will also be contested by Far North equestrians, with several striving to qualify for the national finals at Lawrence on March 24.

Rodeo enthusiasts were disappointed to arrive and find the annual Kaitaia rodeo cancelled on Monday.

Organisers were left with little choice after preparing the clay arena last week by digging it up, only to see a spell of heavy rain turn the surface into an unrideable bog which refused to dry out, even after two days of fine weather.