Bull riders gearing up for Kalgan Stampede as rodeo captures festive mood

Cowboys and cowgirls are this month preparing to saddle up for the third Kalgan Stampede.

Some big bull and bronco riding talents are lined up to enter the arena, with Wade McCarthy and Luke Metcalf among the names to watch.

The third stampede comes almost two years after the second, with the event delayed by 11 months from its usual January date.

Organiser Tom Kennedy said the date had been changed to December 27 to catch more people in the festive period.

“We didn’t feel the timing was right,” he said.

“The economy is better, there are fewer events on, and people are keen to get out and have a look.

“Running them in mid-January, the caravan parks were only half-full and lots of people were out of the holiday fun mode.

“Between Christmas and new year, everyone is in party mode and we want to capture that and all the visitors to the region and show them Albany has got lots to do.”

The stampede will also take place later in the day, with the main events and bull riding starting at 4pm.

Mr Kennedy made special mention of the rodeo clowns, who were there to help the riders when things went wrong. “Say you fall off the wrong way and can’t get your hand out, they jump over the back of the bull and help you out — it’s amazing,” he said. “We have got some good guys coming down to do that.”

He said he had taken a big financial gamble to get the Kalgan Stampede up and running and he felt positive about the direction in which the event was heading.

The rodeo will take place near the Kalgan River Caravan Park from 9am on December 27. There will be food and drinks, with on-site camping available for $15.

For tickets, visit the Kalgan Stampede Facebook page.