Giddy-up for the Scone Charity Rodeo

THIS Saturday, thousands of people are expected to enter Scone’s White Park Arena to attend the first returned Scone Charity Rodeo after Covid-19.

This year the rodeo will feature a wild mule riding event, a cowboy and cow girl meet and greet and of course, the all-time favourite bull riding event.

Jade Smith, President of the Scone Charity Rodeo said the committee is excited to host 400 competitors at their second event at White Park Arena.

“We start at midday, then we have a break around 3:30 pm. Whilst we have that break there will be a bit of live music and we’ll get all of the kids into the area for a meet and greet with the competitors. They can learn how to rope or sit down on a bucking dummy. The guys will sit them into a bronx saddle, basically give them a quick 101 on each event,” Mr Smith said.

“It’s open to anyone to come on down and jump in the arena, meet the guys, get a photo, ask them any questions about why they do it or why they want to get on a bull,” he said.

“Then we kick off at 5 pm with the big rodeo. We’ll have a big screen there with live replays of each ride, cool music, a bar, food stalls. Big Al, he’s the rodeo clown and our comedy act, he’ll be giving away prizes to the kids,” he said.

“We’re hoping to finish up around 8:30 or 9 pm so anyone with little kids can get out of the cold and anyone who is willing to stay can enjoy the bar, the dance floor and live music from Redneck Gentlemen,” said Mr Smith.

Mr Smith said the Charity Rodeo will bring the best of the best to Scone including judges, pick up men, bull fighters and stock.

“We’ve got the best announcer in Australia, Glen Morgan, he’s done all of the major rodeo’s throughout the country. We don’t go for your average joe, we run a professional show,” Mr Smith said.

“A lot of former Australian Champions will be competing, we’ll have Australian Champion bucking stock and also the two movie stars from the Amazing Race Brendon and Jackson,” he said.

“We love putting it on for the town and the community, especially after COVID-19, people are excited to see something and do something,” said Mr Smith.

Thanks to sponsors, the Scone Charity Rodeo has put more than $130,000 back into the community over the last ten years.

“I’ve worked at Bengalla for about 15 years and they’ve come on board to be our major sponsor but there’s plenty of other sponsors there. It’s pretty simple, we can’t run without them,” Mr Smith said.

“We’re a registered charity event, we’re always giving back to someone in the community who needs a helping hand,” he said.

“We’ve given away some money already to people who were involved in a bad accident earlier in the year. Some of them lost family members in that accident, some are struggling for life, so we jumped onto those families in the lead up,” he said.

“That’s the connection with Bengalla, we know people and we want to help. There will be more money given away after the rodeo but at the end of the day it’s a family entertaining event for Scone and everyone to come and enjoy themselves,” said Jade Smith.

Scone Charity Rodeo details

Where: Scone White Park Arena, Guernsey Street, Scone;

When: Saturday, May 1, 2021 from 11 am to 11 pm;

Ticket prices: Adults $20, Children (5-15 years) $10, Aged concession $10, Family pack $50.

To book tickets, click here.