More than 1000 brave souls have stepped onto the churned earth of the arena, grabbed the reins of bull and horse, and held on for dear life at the Stroud Rodeo. The iconic event, which has run for more than four decades, transforms the tiny village of Stroud into a mecca of bullriding and campdraft on the third weekend in September.
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Organising committee member Annette Baldwin said more than 3000 spectators (almost five times the population of the town) and the 1000 competitors flood through the gates over the weekend. Early indications look like the numbers were up on previous years.
“We have had great positive feedback from social media and spectators that were at the event,” Ms Baldwin said.
Emma Malone and Aaron Handerson took out top ribbons in the campdraft while Troy Burtenshaw took out Open Bullride and Nichole Fitzpatrick claimed victory in the barrel race. The rodeo is a not-for-profit event and funds raised, after expenses, will be donated to the Hunter Medical Research Institute.
Ms Baldwin said stand-out performances were delivered by Ben Maytom and Brendon Crawley.
“[Maytom] is a local lad he competes in both campdraft and Saddle Bronc,” she said.
He won Open-for-Open in Campdraft and equal first for Open Saddle Bronc.
“Brendon Crawley from Gresford won three buckles in the main rodeo in novice bullride, novice bareback and Open bareback,” Ms Baldwin said.
“Also our president Chris Melmeth was in the over 40’s bullride so shows how versatile our committee members are.”
Ms Baldwin said the Stroud community was like a big family that pitched in to help the event succeed every year.
“There are different committees throughout the community and we band together to lend a hand or help organise events,” she said.
“We know we can rely on each other if we are running short on help.
“Our town is big on supporting local businesses and local people and this is returned in events like the Rodeo and Campdraft.”
Campdraft Winners
Junior- Travis Sansom
Juvenile- Thomas Murray
Maiden- Dennis Hawkins
Novice- Jay Charnock
Ladies- Emma Malone
Open- Aaron Handerson
Open for open- Ben Maytom
Rodeo Winners
Rope and Tie- Joel Mancell
Junior Breakaway- Kai Clark
8-U11 Junior Steer Ride-
Team Roping-
11-U14 Junior Steer Ride-
8-U11 Junior Barrel Race- Kaydee Hernando
11-U14 Junior Barrel Race-
14- U18 Juvenile Barrel Race-
Novice Saddle Bronc- Lane Pandergast
14-U18 Juvenile Steer Ride-
Steer Wrestling-Clayton Deudney
Ladies Barrel Race- Nichole Fitzpatrick
Novice Bull Ride- Brendon Crawley
Ladies Breakaway Roping- Anna Crisp
Ladies Steer Undecorating- Meg Crawley
Novice Bareback- Brendon Crawley
Over 40’s Bull Ride- David Leake
Open Saddle Bronc- Ben Maytom and Brodie Pendergast
Open Bareback- Brendon Crawley
Open Bull Ride- Troy Burtenshaw
Jessica Brown
Jessica began her journalism career in 2009 as a cadet at The Port Stephens Examiner before moving to London for a two-year stint working in magazines and digital publishing. The Lake Macquarie local returned to Australia where she took up a reporting role at The Maitland Mercury. She worked across several rounds including local council, police and property before moving into digital journalism and joining the team at The Newcastle Herald in 2017.
Jessica began her journalism career in 2009 as a cadet at The Port Stephens Examiner before moving to London for a two-year stint working in magazines and digital publishing. The Lake Macquarie local returned to Australia where she took up a reporting role at The Maitland Mercury. She worked across several rounds including local council, police and property before moving into digital journalism and joining the team at The Newcastle Herald in 2017.
