This Saturday, 19 November at Claudelands Arena Hamilton has SOLD OUT!

Over 4000 cowboys and cowgirls are buckling up and getting ready for one of Australasia’s largest indoor rodeo events due to ride into Hamilton’s Claudelands Arena this weekend – and tickets have SOLD OUT!!!

An extreme sporting event, the International Rodeo will see world renowned champion bull and bronco riders from North American, Canada and Australia battle against some of the best riders New Zealand has to offer. 

The night will be presented by American announcer and rodeo star Kedo Olson and Australian Pro Rodeo Association General Manager Steve Hilton will act as Chute Boss.   The show will feature entertainment from half time dancers, comedy from Australia’s top rodeo clown Big Al and music from NZ’s own Annabel Fay.    

Guys and Gals that don their best riding outfit will be in to win prizes for the Best Dressed Cowboy, Cowgirl, Couple or Family. 

Don’t forget to come along early because access to the Cowboy Bar, complete with themed food and live country and western music, is from 5 pm.  Doors to the arena seating open at 6 pm and the show start time is 7 pm sharp.  

With full big-show production, sound, lighting and pyrotechnics the International Rodeo at Claudelands is one big buck event not to be missed! 

VENUE & SET-UP

Hamilton’s brand new Claudelands Arena is set to be transformed!  300 cubic metres of prime Waikato dirt that will line the arena floor and portable chutes, a rodeo arena (which is the property of the NZ Rodeo Cowboys Association and fits inside two 20ft shipping containers!), large screens, sound, lighting and an outside broadcast van will turn this world class arena into a world class rodeo ring.  Technical staff and a small army of members from the Outram and Kihikihi Rodeo Clubs will set-up a day prior to the event while the other stars of the rodeo - the rodeo bulls (Terminator, Blue Ray, Major, Grizzly Boogie Man, Forklift, Crankhandle,Apache, Charlies Revenge and Grey Dog) and horses (Jawbreaker, Jackie Chan, Agent Orange and Dinky) - travel to Hamilton from Northland, Fielding, Wairoa and Gisborne.

MASTER OF CEREMONY 

International Rodeo announcer Kedo Olson’s first rodeo saw him rope and ride bulls and bareback horses but, after almost 20 years competing in team and calf roping, a wrist injury left him unable to continue.   Asked to join the Roseburg Oregon PRCA Rodeo Board,Kedo became the arena director for ten years and went on to produce rodeo TV specials - working with five time World Champion Bullfighter Rob Smets. He has since announced the California Finals, the Oregon State High School Finals, the National Senior Pro Rodeo Finals, the Canadian Senior Pro Finals, the Northwest Pro Rodeo Finals and the NZ Pro Rodeo Association National Finals.  Kedo has won numerous awards including the International Professional Rodeo Association Western Region Announcer of the Year Award,PRCA Committeeman of the Year Award and in 2003 was inducted into the National Senor Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame.

ENTERTAINMENT

Pop, soul and R&B singer Annabel Faye (www.annabelfay.co.nz) will be performing live at this year’s International Rodeo.  EMI music released her second album Show Me the Right Way earlier this year and the single River was quickly certified gold.  Australia’s top rodeo clown Big Al (Al Wilson - www.bigalrodeoclown.com) has been voted 10 times Rodeo Comedy Clown of the Year and is listed on the ABCRA Rodeo Hall of Fame for his entertainment contributions to the sport of rodeo.  Big Al was professional Bull Rider and the APRA Australian Rookie Bull Riding Champion in 1984.  He was among the top five bull riders in Australia during the 80s and 15 years on, Big Al is still entertaining rodeo audiences with his authentic cowboy character and lovable antics. 

CONTESTANTS

Canadian cowboys Rylie Gilbertson, Kerry LaValley and Mike Ryan, champion Australian rough stock riders Rhys and Cody Angland, Brad Pierce and Toby Collins, along with Americans Jay Morrow and Danny Webb plus the top three NZ contestants in each of the three bucking events will be attending this year’s International Rodeo.  The Bareback event will feature currentBareback and All-round NZ Champion Rex Church, Joe Fentiman and former All-Round title holder Darryl Church.  South IslandersGarrick Scally, Paul Robinson and Simon Roughan will be riding the Saddle Broncs and Adam and Andrew Jamison (Adam is the current 2011 National Champion while Andrew was the 2010 National Champion) and Jono Reed will ride the Bulls.