Marlborough rodeo to continue after protesters help end Richmond event

Thursday, 29 September 2016

Organisers of the Tua Marina Rodeo maintain the Marlborough event will 'not be going anywhere' after an animal rights campaign contributed to the closure of a nearby Richmond event.

This year's Richmond Rodeo gained widespread attention after a bull was caught on film jumping around in the ring with a broken leg before it had to be euthanised. 

It was announced this week that the club was winding up and the rodeo would not return next year.

Tua Marina Rodeo is the oldest in New Zealand and association president Grant Sheridan said the Marlborough club had no plans to stop.

**READ MORE:

* Next year's Richmond Rodeo cancelled 

* Calls for rodeo to be banned in New Zealand hasn't changed Government's mind

* Death of bull at Richmond Rodeo prompts call to ban 'disgusting' events**

'People are allowed to protest but our view is that if you don't like something, don't go to it,' he said.

'We don't go out to harm animals.

'The people involved with rodeo are involved with animals every day of their life.'

Sheridan acknowledged the inherent danger associated with rodeos but that it was not the animal who was most at risk. 

'Injuries are always a possibility but it's usually the cowgirls and cowboys who get knocked around rather than the animal,' he said.

'We're dealing with animals that weigh 12 times what you do.

'It is a lot harder on the competitor than the animal itself.'

The unpredictability of the animals sometimes led to incidents such as the one in Nelson, Sheridan said.

'We're dealing with semi-wild animals here and unfortunately they can sometimes put their leg through a fence,' he said.

'It's pretty rare and of course no-one wants to see that happen.

'Some things are out of our control.'

Richmond Rodeo Club said the decision to cancel the event was down to a 'lack of support' from within the club as opposed to concerns over animal rights. 

Sheridan said he was 'sad' to hear of the event closing down. 

A crowd of about 2500 attended this year's Tua Marina Rodeo.

Tua Marina Rodeo was a not-for-profit organisation with proceeds raised going towards the Tua Marina School, Sheridan said. 

The 2017 Tua Marina Rodeo is scheduled for February 26.