Record numbers of spectators were treated to an entertaining day when the Ann Hone Memorial Rodeo was held in Armidale on November 19.
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Named after former secretary and one of the Armidale Four Seasons Rodeo Association’s founding members Ann Hone, this year’s event took on a special meaning.
The rodeo was hailed a success with crowds and competitors travelling from all over the state and across the border to be a part of the rodeo and witness the thrills and spills on offer in the open and novice bull ride, saddle broncs, bareback, rope and tie, steer wrestling, team roping, senior and junior breakaway, barrel races, steer rides and the steer undecorating.
The Association’s publicity officer Jane Walsh said people were thrilled with the day’s entertainment.
"I had one local lady, there might have been a few more that did the same, who came and said 'I didn't realise the rodeo this year was the Ann Hone Memorial Rodeo,’” she said.
“’When I found out I said to my husband that we have to go.'”
"She said it was a great rodeo and they really enjoyed it.
"The numbers were way up, it was a really good rodeo.
"Armidale had a lot on that weekend and despite that we had a really good turnout.”
The Association hope the success of this year’s rodeo can carry through to next year.
Walsh said the committee need people to put their hand up and be part of it in order for it to continue running each year.
"If we can round up committee members, that is what it hangs on, people willing to donate their time,” she said.
"You can't have a rodeo without committee members and without people willing to help and we really struggle with that.
"If we have all of that there is not an issue.
"Some people have been doing it for years.”
Walsh said the community got behind the event this year and they couldn’t have done it without their support of the local sponsors including:
Major Sponsors: Kfc
Super Moto New England
Armidale Mower And Chainsaws Centre
Armidale Colour Copy Centre
Edwards Coaches
Killen's Smash Repairs
Heritage Concrete
Reece Plumbing
Hubbards Hire
Dales Down Town Meats
Moxon's Bakery
Armitage And Chadd
Bone's Tyres
Choices Flooring
Ducats Earthmoving
Ridley Mini Skips
Armidale Computers
South Uralla Fuel Stop
The Professionals Real Eastate
The Royal Hotel
Johnson And Kennedy
The Mcmillan Family – Lollie Scramble