mmg.com.au

Friday night’s 68th annual Kyabram Rodeo provided another night of entertainment for spectators at Kyabram Showgrounds.

Kyabram A H and P Society secretary Janelle McDonald said she was pleased with how well the event ran.

‘‘The attendance on the night was just slightly down on last year, with about $900 less taken at the gates. But the number of entries and therefore the amount received in entry fees was up quite a lot, although this is paid out in prizemoney,’’ Mrs McDonald said.

‘‘Overall the entry takings were up by about $10000, which is very positive.’’

Official results from the event have not yet been released, but 19-year-old Tongala cowboy Cody Tyrrell, who featured on the front cover of the Free Press last week, had a successful night. Tyrrell won the bareback section with an impressive ride on Dark Shadows and then finished second in the bull ride with a great effort on well-known bull Stumpy. There were more stalls and rides in sideshow alley this year, which meant an increased income, and the area was busy throughout the evening, as were the food outlets and bar.

With plenty of visitors from outside the district attending the rodeo, and in some cases staying overnight, the event will have provided a boost to the local economy.

‘‘We didn’t have any complaints from the competitors and I spoke the stockman Garry McPhee afterwards and he was very happy with the surface in the arena,’’ Mrs McDonald said.

Kyabram Police were also happy with the behaviour of the large crowd.

Senior Sergeant Peter Wardell said one man was escorted off the premises late in the evening after becoming intoxicated, but otherwise it had been a very good evening.

Sen Sgt Wardell and Mrs McDonald both complimented the security staff on duty at the rodeo.

‘‘There was a great family atmosphere and the crowd was very well behaved,’’ Mrs McDonald said.

‘‘Our committee members put in a great effort every year to make the rodeo happen and it’s good to see their efforts rewarded with a good night like we had on Friday.

‘‘The rodeo was really well supported again and I’m just rapt with the whole thing.’’

A H and P Society committee member Geoff Maxwell was unfortunately bitten by a dog and missed the main events due to the injury sustained.