Ride ’em in, cut ’em out

By Tania Martin
COCKATOO residents dug out their cowboy hats on the weekend for a boot scooting good time at the town’s popular rodeo.
More than 5000 people flocked to the event on Saturday night for the 24th annual rodeo.
Organising committee member Graeme Mackay said the event was continuing to grow each year.
This year was no different, with locals enjoying a great family night out. “The crowd was great, we were packed to the limit,” Mr Mackay said.
Big L’s clown show kept the masses entertained all night.
There was plenty for the whole family enjoy this year from a giant jumping castle, to amusement rides and of course the rodeo action.
The bucking bull ride was also a popular side act for many locals to enjoy. Mr Mackay said entries for the rodeo were well up on last year with the top bull rider taking home a $1500 prize pool. “It was a great night, the crowd was fantastic, no stock was injured but a couple of cowboys were carted off,” he said.
The event raised more than $40,000 which will go towards a number of local sporting clubs including the Macclesfield Pony Club, Emerald Junior Cricket Club, Emerald Football Club and the Mackay Foundation which supports a local car club event.
Mr Mackay said the committee was now getting ready to start planning for the big 25th anniversary event for next year.
“We hope to get some of the older cowboys who competed in the first rodeo to come back,” he said.
Mr Mackay said the event wouldn’t have been possible without the continued support of its sponsors.