By Callum Ludwig
The Yarra Valley Pro Rodeo made a triumphant return for the start of 2023, with picture-perfect conditions for the event.
Unable to be held since 2020, thousands of attendees of all ages came to enjoy the daring feats of those taking on bucking bulls and broncos and enjoy the festivities, such as live entertainment from the Iain Archibald Band, a wide variety food and drinks and jumping castles, animatronics and trampolines for kids.
For Kira and her kids Masha and Sasha, it was their first time at the event.
“We’ve never been before and it has been really good, a bit more shade would be nice, but otherwise, a really good atmosphere,” Kira said.
“We were going to head off and grab dinner but she [Masha] has convinced me to stay and watch the main event.”
The event was supporting awareness for Rett Syndrome, a cause well known in the Yarra Valley through the work of Lee Lawrence, whose daughter Gypsy has the condition.
Lee said it’s fantastic to have so many community events like the rodeo to support awareness for Rett syndrome.
“It’s really good to know I’m not doing this all on my own and to get that message to a whole new audience of people in the rodeo community is amazing, the Yarra Valley Pro Rodeo has done it again supporting us, hats off to them,” he said.
“For me, the awareness is the most important thing, actually recognising these young kids that are battling this cruel disorder is the main thing. Before I started all this, no one really knew what Rett syndrome was, and now more and more people every day are hearing about it.”
Tickets for the Yarra Valley Pro Rodeo were completely sold out by the morning of Saturday 21 January, as camp chairs aplenty were parked by the arena and queues grew at stalls around at Yarra Valley Racing.
Event volunteer Macauley was representing the Lilydale Football Club and spent a few hours helping keep the popular bucking bull running smoothly.
“It was good to have worked for a couple of hours and get it done early and get out and enjoy it after,” he said.
“It’s good for the footy club as well, it’s the biggest event we are involved in for the year and it’s great to be out there helping and getting a lot back from it ourselves as well.”
The junior riders and qualifiers took place from 3pm before the main show kicked off at 6pm, with rough stock events such as Saddle Bronc Riding, Bareback Bronc Riding and Bull Riding as well as timed events are Steer Wrestling, Rope and Tie, Team Roping, Barrel Racing & Breakaway Roping.
While it may only just have passed, there will be many who are excited to come back next year again to take in the show. It is highly recommended to get in early and buy tickets online to avoid the surge of attendees and ensure you can make the most of what the Yarra Valley Pro Rodeo has to offer.
