Members of the Harden Fuel Supplies Twin Towns Rodeo Committee, Left: Amber Leitner, Zak Leitner, Kristy Brown, Marcus Ashton, Ben Coster, Angla Leitner
and Gus Shea.
The Harden Fuel Supplies Twin Towns Rodeo is nearly here and don’t we know it?!
340 entires have been received for the event this Saturday November 21.
12 months of hard work by the committee will deliver the Twin Towns their first rodeo in 10 years. The young and dedicated team have banded together and put the necessary effort in. What started as an idea at a party turned into a committee and provided the direction and focus needed to deliver the event. Secretary Kristy Brown (Leitner) said, “We now have young families ourselves and we remember what it was like when we went to the rodeo as children. We want our kids to experience the same feeling. A town like Harden Murrumburrah has a great sense of community and we just needed to harness that feeling and turn it into action.”
Committees in small towns are often the same. Small numbers of older residents who work tirelessly year in and year out to deliver their events. The Rodeo committee is an exception to the rule, young people getting involved and getting the job done. The Committee has held fundraisers, attracted sponsorship and engaged Harden Shire Council to bring the town and the region a landmark event. “Most of us haven’t been on many committees before and we are all around the late 20s early 30s mark, so we have had to learn quickly how to get the job done,” said Kristy.
The Twin Towns Rodeo is the second last one on the calendar for the points season, with social media helping to promote the event. The event follows a calendar of Yass last Saturday and Gundagai next weekend, and fits perfectly in to the ABCRA schedule of events. Kristy said, “Our Facebook page shows over 600 people coming just on there.” The Committee is hoping for a crowd of about 2000 people and if entries are anything to go by they will reach their target. Vice-President, Zak Leitner said, “We have had an enormous amount of entries with 80 competitors for the Barrel Racing alone.” The events and entry numbers include: Steer Undercoating (21), Breakaway Roping (31), Ladies Barrel Racing (29), Under 11 Junior Barrel (24), 11-14 Junior Barrel (14), Juvenile Barrel 14-18 (8), U14 Junior Steer Ride (16), U18 Juvenile Steer (15). Novice Saddle Bronc (7), Novice Bull Ride (8), Novice Barrel Horse (41). Saddle Bronc (8), Bareback (5), Bull Ride (11), Steer Wrestling (23), Rope and Tie (18), and Team Roping (52).
There will be some local talent entered including Troy Cross, Zak Leitner, Marcus Ashton, Natalie, Melinda & Jack Perceval, Karissa Guest, Corey & Jess McCoy, Josh Barker and special entrant ’Mad’ Chrisso James just to name a few. The Twin Towns Rodeo has managed to raise approximately $25,000 over the last 12 months through cutting events, raffles, sponsorship and old fashioned hard work. President Marcus Ashton has used his welding skills and love for the sport to make new gates for the arena and the Committee has been busy brushing up on their painting skills, with plenty of white paint applied over the past 2 weeks. If everything goes to plan the rodeo hopes to make a nice profit to hold next year’s event and join with other user groups to bring the amenitites at the Racecourse up to standard.
The Harden Country Club will have a mechanical bull set up on Friday afternoon for people to have a go and have a practice before Saturday’s events which will include: The Lachie Cosser Show, Grant Richardson from Australian Idol singing the Anthem, Jess & Corey McCoy Show, Local Poddy Calf and Open Steer Ride. A bus from the Light Horse will be available for a gold coin donation and the after party will be held at the Light Horse Hotel with Bearfax entertaining the crowd.
Ticket prices are adults $15, under 18s $5, under 6s- free and a family of four is $35. There will be plenty to see and eat with Dippin Dots Icecream, Potato Shack, Mr Whippy, The Outback Traders, 180 Clothing, Ropes by Psycho, Wind Roper Saddlery, Petite Boutique, Jumping Castle, The Muddy Duck Cafe, Camden Rossmore Stockfeeds, Sweet and Sour, and Chontelle Perrin Photography. Make sure you get out and support your Twin Towns and the Harden Fuel Supplies Twin Town Rodeo this Saturday. No byo alcohol
