By JESSE GRAHAM
THOUSANDS of residents and visitors flocked to the Healesville Racecourse on the weekend, for an inaugural rodeo featuring riders from around the country.
The Yarra Valley Pro Rodeo was held on Saturday, 16 January at the Racecourse, with events and music filling the afternoon from 4pm until late in the evening.
One of the event organisers, Tim Wilson, said the event was a great success, with “spot on” weather and about 8000 people coming through the gates to watch the action.
“It was fantastic, a great community event,” he said.
“When the actual rodeo event started at six, the crowd were absolutely rapt.”
Riders from around Australia took part in events, including bronco riding, break away roping and steer wrestling, as well as bull rides.
Dodgem cars were available for visitors, and entertainment also came from musicians Rachel Ricciuti and The Flaming Moes, as well as whip-cracker, Maddi Buzza.
Though the event was a victim of its own success, with police telling organisers to close gates to visitors at about 6pm and an estimated 2000 people turned away due to crowding.
A post by organisers on the event’s Facebook page apologised for difficulty viewing the events and large crowds, and said some visitors were refunded on the night.
Mr Wilson said that organisers had not anticipated the large crowd, due to a low number of pre-booked tickets, and that feedback would shape next year’s event.
“We can only get better, because this is our first time,” he said.
“We’re probably going to have to look at grandstand seating, and things like that.
“That was a learning curve for us, but for people in the future, pre-book a ticket, then there’s guaranteed not a problem with getting in.”
The event was held as a fund-raiser for Lilydale Football Club, and Mr Wilson said all workers at the rodeo had volunteered their time.
For more photos from the event, visit mail.starcommunity.com.au.
