Left: Bull rider Greg Hamilton gets some air as he wrestles with this bucking bronco at the Cranbourne Rodeo.Above: Rod Sutton holds on for dear life.Alison Noonan
BUCKING bulls and rearing riders attracted a record crowd to the Cranbourne Rodeo and Country Festival on the weekend.
About 15,000 people flocked to Ballarto Road on Saturday to enjoy the thrills and spills of the area’s biggest bull riding event for the year.
Organiser Sean Matherick attributed the massive crowd attendance to the fine weather and live entertainment.
“It was a fantastic day. We couldn’t have asked for better weather,” he said. “There was no trouble at all on the day. The atmosphere was great and everyone just had a good time.”
Mr Matherick said bucking stock was the only attraction at this year’s show after organisers decided to forego roping, steer wrestling and barrel racing.
“Everyone still seemed to love it, even though we only had the bulls and horses,” he said. “We also had live entertainment from a country band and lots of rides to give the show a carnival feel. People came from all over and we had riders from as far as Mt Isa and Darwin.
“It was a real mixed crowd. It attracted people from so many walks of life, which is great,” he said.
Mr Matherick said the twoday event went off without a hitch, securing its title as a fun day for the whole family.
“The whole weekend was very familyorientated. It is great to be able to take the kids and not have to worry about trouble. We are already looking forward to next year,” he said.
