Theyre back Rodeo time in Euroa

31 Jan 2018 Euroa Gazette, Euroa VIC (General News) by Pam Zierk-mahoney JACLYN HITS A $100,000 WINNER: Jaclyn Symes (MLC, Northern Victoria) hit a winner last week with the announcement of a $100,000 State Government grant for the Friendlies Oval Redevelopment in Euroa. She is pictured with (from left) Andrew Crosbie, Strathbogie Shire councillor John Mason, Olivia Gall, Georgia Gall, Ben DeAraugo, Strathbogie Shire councillor Mick Williams, Connor McCombe, Peter Morley and Rob Asquith. Full story on page 3. PHOTO: Paul Murray BRONCO riding cowboys, barrel racing lads and ladies and junior steer riders will all hit the Euroa Showgrounds on March 24 for a night of action. Not held in Euroa for some 30 plus years, the community organised rodeo returns to Euroa and is already garnering great support. Committee member, Troy Spence, last week said the rodeo has gained to date some $20,000 in sponsorship from local business and enthusiasts along with in-kind donations in help. He said more than 20 local businesses and organisations have got behind the event to date, which will see full rodeo action including saddle bronc, bareback bronc, bull riding, junior steer, barrel racing, junior barrel racing and for this year a junior steer riding competition. Mr Spence said the community organised rodeos stopped running in the 1970s, however there had been two privately run events in 2004/05 which were successful. This not-for-profit group is very keen to see local rodeos up and running again, Mr Spence said last week. We have attracted a variety of food stalls and vendors for the event giving families a night out just come along. There will also be live entertainment and a bar. And the profits will go back to the community through local clubs such as Apex, Rotary and Lions, Mr Spence said. We wanted to see the event up and running again but also be able to give back to the community. Mr Spence said they needed to get 1500 people through the gate just to break even however, that number should easily be reached as many have already booked early birdtickets and the caravan park is almost booked out already. This rodeo tags on the end of a circuit of events around the North East which incudes Chiltern and Merrijig and has a great following of rodeo enthusiasts, Mr Spence said. And we have attracted riders by offering more than $9000 in prize money over the eight main events. Top prize for the bull riding will be $2000 followed by the saddle bronc ($1000) and bare back riding ($1000). These are above average for these events in prize money. And the barrel racing events has already attracted good feedback, so we are looking forward to some great action in that event. Caption Text: ALL ACTION: Euroa will host a rodeo in March the first for more than 10 years. Bronco riding will also feature on the eight event card. PHOTO: Courtesy Mansfield CourierLicensed by Copyright Agency. You may only copy or communicate this work with a licence.