Thrills, spills of rodeo return to the region

Bringing western-style equestrian and rodeo back to the Great Southern, the first ACH Contractors Kalgan Stampede will entertain in a different style this weekend.

It has been 30 years since the last rodeo was held at the Manypeaks Rodeo Grounds — this weekend has been chosen to mark the anniversary.

Sponsored by locally owned earthmoving business ACH Contractors, organiser Tom Kennedy said this style of event had a strong following in the 1970s and 80s throughout the Albany region.

“I’m doing it simply because I always enjoyed going to the Manypeaks Rodeo, since I was a little kid, and really like the country-style atmosphere of rodeo people,” he said.

“I thought that if I didn’t organise one, then no one else was going to.”

ACH Contractors have guaranteed the full western experience, complete with barrel racing, a bull-riding clinic, horsemanship displays, rodeo cowgirls, a junior rodeo and main rodeo.

WA professional bull riders Luke Metcalf and Wade McCarthy will show people how the brave sport is done.

“The aim is to give horse people the opportunity to have a go at barrel racing or learn to team rope,” they said.

“And to provide opportunities for local horse and agricultural businesses, equestrian clubs and community groups to get involved.”

The Kalgan Stampede takes place at the Kalgan River Chalets and Caravan Park and a full list of events and times can be found at kalganstampede.com.au.

Events starts at 3pm, on Friday, January 12, and continue until Sunday morning.

Tickets are also available at the venue.