This year’s Narrandera Rodeo, one of the biggest events in town, if not the whole shire, has been hailed as a huge success, as a massive crowd enjoyed all the thrills and spills.

Narrandera Rodeo Committee President Alarna Vrieling estimated the crowd was double the size of the previous rodeo in 2024.

“It was so nice to see community members of all ages there,” she said.

“It really is an event that brings people together, visitors to our town, and money to our town.

“Tourists posted TikTok videos of their trip to Narrandera for the rodeo and went bike riding, koala spotting, and to Lake Talbot Water Park while they were here.

“While it is organised by the Narrandera Rodeo Committee, it’s a community-run and funded event and without the generosity of local businesses and local organisations working so cohesively, it wouldn’t be what it is.”

Many volunteers donated their time to ensure the rodeo was a huge hit with the rodeo committee members working in the canteen, BBQ and bar.

Volunteers from the Narrandera Hospital Auxiliary, Can Assist, Narrandera Swim Club, Narrandera Lizards Football Club and Narrandera Imperial Football/Netball Club helped make the event run smoothly.

The Narrandera VRA Rescue Squad members put in a huge day manning the gates.

Alarna also thanked the many sponsors who make the event possible.

The events threw up some fast times with plenty of the local riders getting in on the action.

“Anna and Garry McPhee never disappoint with the quality of the stock they provide - the horses and bulls are beautifully cared for and it shows in their condition and calm behaviour behind the shoots - they really are performers,” Alarna said.

“The quality of riders was outstanding - we had some of the fastest barrel racing and roping times of the season from some of the best cowboys and cowgirls in the country who chose to come to Narrandera, despite us clashing with Melbourne Rodeo.

“Some of our local riders has great success with Corey Heath (our junior vice president) and Billy Guilford (committee member) took home a wad of cash in the team-roping.

“Junior steer rider, Dustin Dillon (with his trademark mullet) hung on well to a cheeky young steer, Mel Drysdale (events co-ordinator), in the calf-roping, snagged her calf in just seconds, flag bearer (Wendy Batchelor) and barrel racers Elke Richens, Jody Batchelor, and Erika Quinn, made some great times around the barrels and Brad Freund drew a cracker of a horse in the open saddle bronc.”

The rodeo committee received “overwhelming positive comments” about the event and is seeking more feedback from anyone who attended in a bid to make next year’s rodeo bigger and better.

“We also invite people to join our committee; you don't have to know anything about rodeos, just be enthusiastic and willing to share ideas,” Alarna said.

Anyone interested in joining can contact the committee via its Facebook page Narrandera Pro Rodeo or email narranderaprorodeo@gmail.com

Final Results

JUNIOR STEER RIDE

1 Jayden Dowell

2 Lawson McDonald

JUNIOR BARREL RACE

1 Kodah Lovett

2 Lucy Wilson

3 Jessica Evans

4 Billie Donald

JUNIOR BREAKAWAY ROPING

1 Kade O'Dea

2 Cruz Leahy

3 Tate Smith

SADDLE BRONC RIDE

1 David Stacey

2 Toby Collins

3 Coupar Woods

4 Tom Day

BULL RIDE

1 Dylan Weir

2 Toby Collins

BAREBACK BRONC RIDE

1 Jarrod McKane

2 Brock Mulhall

ROPE AND TIE

1 Campbell Hodson

2 Terry Evison

3 Aaron Leahy

4 Coben Ayers

STEER WRESTLING

1 Gavin Walker

2 Kacey Kenny

3 Peter Davenport 4.9

4 Matt Hedlund 5

5 Jayden Kenny 5.15

TEAM ROPING

1 Casey Tribe and Kai Clark

2 Corey Heath and Daniel Guilford

3 Ellysa Kenny and Tyler Kenny

4 Lochlan Flanagan and Campbell Hodson

BARREL RACE

1 Brittany Collins

2 Katina Matthews

3 Leslie Moore

4 Ellysa Kenny

5 Olivia Priestley Halliday

6 Adele Edwards

BREAKAWAY ROPING

1 Molly McKane and Jemma Dowling

3 Anna Crisp

4 Stephanie Gard

5 Olivia Priestley Halliday

6 Brittany Gaffey and Tahnee Small

2ND DIV SADDLE BRONC RIDE

1 Tom Day

U 12 JUNIOR BARREL RACE

1 Lucy Wilson

2 Teale Moffatt

3 Charlotte Willoughby

4 Violet McMahon

U 12 JUNIOR BREAKAWAY ROPING

1 Tate Smith 20