Animal Welfare is no joke.

Here at Canterbury Rodeo we take Animal Welfare very seriously. Every year from the beginning of our Rodeo we have worked closely with the New Zealand Ministry of Primary Industries and have always had a very good report from them.

In 2015 Canterbury Rodeo was the first rodeo in New Zealand to be audited by the Ministry of Primary Industry (MPI) following the changes in the Code of Welfare for Rodeos in New Zealand. 3 MPI inspectors spent the entire day going through every aspect of the Canterbury Rodeo. At the end of the day the MPI inspector's confirmed that Canterbury Rodeo met every part of the New Code of Welfare. The final report sent to the governing body of New Zealand Rodeo, NZRCA, indicated that Canterbury Rodeo scored highly, with MPI impressed with how we are doing.

 Here is a copy of the current Code of Welfare for Rodeos in New Zealand:

https://www.mpi.govt.nz/animals/animal-welfare/codes/all-animal-welfare-codes/

If you have any questions about Animal Welfare in New Zealand Rodeos please contact the President of the NZRCA:

https://www.rodeonz.co.nz/contacts/contact-a-board-member/

RODEO EVENTS

Bareback

The rider attempts to stay on the back of his horse using only his balance and a suitcase type handhold, known as a rigging, which is placed on top of the horse's withers then secured with a cinch. The rigging must be of NZRCA approved standards. Horses must be a minimum of 4 years of age and weigh a minimum of 350kg

The rider must ‘mark out' the horse. On the first buck out of the chute the rider must have both of his feet touching the horse forward of the break of the shoulders, they must stay there until the horse's feet have hit the ground from that first buck. If a rider fails to mark his horse out, on either or both sides, then he is disqualified. 

A bareback rider is judged on not only his actual ride, but also his spurring technique. He is required to ride the animal for a full 8 seconds.

How a rider can be disqualified: if he is bucked off before the required 8 seconds, if he touches the animal or himself with his free arm, or if he misses his mark out.

Rope & Tie

The roots of the rope and tie event can be traced back to the working ranches of the Old West. When cattle were sick or injured, cowboys had to rope and immobilize them quickly and safely for veterinary treatment. Ranch hands prided themselves on the speed and skill with which they could rope and tie cattle such that it soon became a popular competitive sport.

The rope and tie contestant only has a maximum of 30 seconds and one run down the arena to complete this event. Cattle must weigh between 100 and 150kgs and be at least 3 months of age or older. All equipment used must be in keeping with the NZRCA rules and regulations.

The event begins with the roper remaining behind a barrier in the starting box until the ANIMAL crosses a scoreline. (If the horses starts before the animal crosses the scoreline there is a 10 second penalty applied to the final time for the run).

The roper must rope the cattle before it reaches the end of the arena, then dismount their horse, go to the animaland "throw" IT by hand to the ground. The roper must cross and tie any three feet using a pigging string and the approved method of tying (i.e. one or more wraps and a half hitch).

Once the animal is tied the competitor must signal the judge, return to and mount their horse and step their horse forward so as to slacken the rope. The Judge will qualify the tie of the animal once the roper remounts horse and steps horse forward, creating slack in the catch rope. The three legs must remain crossed and tied to the Judge’s satisfaction. Once satisfied the Judge signals for the animal to be released. This is to ensure that the animal is roped and tied within 30 seconds. The time stops when the Judge drops his/her flag.

To "throw" an animal by hand refers to a animal handling method which is designed to prevent leg injuries to cattle. The method involves lifting the animal up off the ground slightly, swinging the legs outwards so the animal lands squarely on their side on the ground with its legs still extended outwards. This ensures the animal cannot trap a leg underneath their own weight which could result in an injury. As the arena surface is grubbed up to a depth of up to 10cm, the dropping of the animal onto the ground does not cause any discomfort or injury to the animal. If the tie comes loose or the animal gets on its feet before the tie has been ruled a legal one then the roper will be marked "No time".

Saddle Bronc

The event that started rodeo, it originated from the necessary job of breaking in and training horses to be used in ranches, in the days of the Wild West. Horses must be a minimum of 4 years of age and weigh a minimum of 350kg

Just like in bareback riding, the rider must ‘mark out' his horse meaning that both feet must be in position touching the horse forward of the break of the shoulders, on the first buck out of the chute. Once again, if the rider isn't successful in marking his horse out, then he will be disqualified.

A saddle ready to be used in the Saddle Bronc ride .

The rider holds onto a braided buck rein which is attached to the horse's halter. Like in other rough stock events he can only hold on with one hand, as touching anything with his free arm will get him disqualified. He holds on to this rein while trying to keep himself squarely and securely in the saddle. 

As the horse bucks the rider brings his legs from the horse's shoulders, where he made his mark out, to the back of the saddle. Like in the bareback event, the rider is judged not only on his actual ride but also on the quality of his spurring technique, balance, timing & control. He is required to the ride the animal for a full 8 seconds. 

How a rider can be disqualified: if he is bucked off before the required 8 seconds, if he touches the animal or himself with his free arm, if he misses his mark out, or if one or both of his feet come out of the stirrups during the ride.

Barrel Racing

Barrel Racing is a female only event. The objective of a Barrel Racing run is to ride a cloverleaf pattern around three barrels as quickly as possible. The time starts when the barrel racer crosses electronic timers on her horse. She then heads for the first barrel and makes a turn around it. The rider can choose either the Left or the Right barrel to turn first.

She then heads for the second barrel and after another turn around that, she heads for the third. After a final turn around the third barrel she heads directly for home as fast as possible. Her run is complete and the clock stopped when she breaks the beam of the electronic timers that started her run. 

If a racer knocks over a barrel during a run then a 5 second penalty is added to her final time, for each barrel knocked over. She is allowed to touch the barrel to prevent it from falling. Barrel racers must be wearing their hat as they cross the start line in order to make a qualified run. They are permitted to wear helmets if they choose to do so. 

Steer Wrestling

Steer Wrestling, or "bulldogging" as it is sometimes known, has the basic objective for the steer wrestler to use his technique to wrestle the steer to the ground, in the fastest time possible. Like with rope & tie and team ropers, the steer wrestler starts the event on the back of his horse in the timed event box. Steers must weigh a minimum of 200kg and have at least 150mm of natural horn

A rope barrier is placed across the front of this box that gives the steer an approximate 2.5 meter head start. 
When the steer wrestler nods his head the steer is released from its chute, when the steer has completed its head start the barrier rope is released, and the steer wrestler commences his chase. If he starts too early and the barrier is broken then a 10 second penalty is added to the wrestler's final time.
A ‘hazer' assists the steer wrestler by riding alongside the steer keeping it running straight.

The steer wrestler slide off his horse and using his feet in the dirt slows the steer down and while holding the steers horn, and tips the steers head for both steer and rider to be laying flat on the ground. If the steer gets loose before it has been thrown to the ground, the wrestler can take no more than one step to catch it. A steer wrestler has 30 seconds in which to catch and throw the steer.

Team Roping

Team Roping is the only team event in rodeo. There are two ropers, one known as the header and the other is the heeler. Just like rope & tie ropers and steer wrestlers the ropers start the event on the back of their horses in the timed event box. Steer weight to be between 200 and 350kg. Horn wraps* to be used on all natural horns.

A rope barrier is placed across the front of the header's box that gives the steer an approximate 2.5 meter head start. If the header takes off too early and breaks the barrier, then the team is given a 10 second penalty, which is added to their final time. 

The header is the first to rope and attempts to catch the head of the running steer. Once the header has made a catch it's then the heeler's turn, the header turns the steer so that its hind legs are facing the heeler who then attempts to rope both hind legs. If the heeler only catches one leg than a 5-second penalty is added to the team's final time. If the heeler ropes one or both of the front legs in the catch then it is not a qualified run. 

After both catches are made the run isn't complete until there is no slack in their ropes and the horses are facing each other. Fastest time wins! Females can take part in team roping.

Bull Riding

Bull Riding is the last event to be held at a rodeo, and is the most exciting. Just like bareback and saddle Bronc events the rider can only hold onto the animal with one hand, touching it with his free arm will get him disqualified. Bull riders are not required to mark out a bull, spurring a bull will add to his score but it is not a requirement of the ride. The rider holds onto a flat braided rope with one gloved hand, this rope is known as a bull rope, it is wrapped around the bull's chest just behind the bulls front legs.
Bull weight - open -min of 400kg, Novice - min 275kg, Junior - min 200kg

The rope has a bell shaped weight attached to it which helps the rope come loose and fall off after the rider has dismounted.

One end of the bull rope, which is known as the tail, is put through the other end which has a loop, the rope is pulled firmly around the bull while the rider has his hand in the handhold. The rider then ‘takes his wrap', wrapping the tail around his hand to secure the grip he has on the rope.

Once ready the rider nods his head or ‘calls for the gate', the chute gate is then opened and the ride begins. No two bulls buck alike, so a rider must be ready for anything. He uses the balance of his body and his free arm and strength in his riding arm, to stay onboard the bull for the required full 8 seconds.

The rider will be disqualified if: he fails to make the 8 seconds, touches the animal with his free hand.

If a rider bucks off this is where the bull fighters come in, they rush in to distract the bull away from the rider until the rider is in a safe position.

CANTERBURY RODEO COMMITTEE

The rodeo enthusiasts who bring you Canterbury Rodeo are passionate about putting on a great day of fun and competition for spectators and competitors involving horses, cattle and humans. 

Look out for our members in their Red & Black Check Shirts.

A DAY AT THE RODEO