One of the biggest crowds in years were treated to an action-packed spectacle when the Bendemeer Rodeo and Campdraft Committee held their annual rodeo on Saturday.
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Committee secretary Melissa Griffiths said around 1500 spectators streamed through the gates, some travelling from as far as Inverell and Glen Innes.
"The show was great," Griffiths said.
"All reports were that it was the best rodeo theyve seen in the area for a long time."
The juniors kicked-off things in the afternoon with the senior rodeo commencing at 6pm, the event drawing over 400 competitors.
There was success for several local cowboys and cowgirls with newly-crowned ABCRA junior allround cowboy, and Bendemeer boy, Braith Nock wining the 14-U18 juvenile barrel race and placing second in the under-18 steer ride while Moonbi's Lauren Smith won the steer undecorating and breakaway roping.
One of the feature events of the program was the Peter Jenner Memorial Open Saddlebronc.
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It was won by Singleton cowboy Josh Barnett.
Walcha's Gerard Oversby produced the top ride in the bareback and Steven Wicks the open bullride.
Katrina Edwards won the ladies barrel race, while Jo Birch and Michael Brogan were the quickest to make the catch in the team roping, Jock Bone-Langdon took out the steer wrestling and Heath Nichols continued his dominance of the rope and tie.
The Willow Tree cowboy has remarkably won the national title the last eight years.
Levi Ward had a good afternoon in the junior events finishing on top in the under-11 barrel race and 8-under-11 steer ride while Travis Lane won the under-18 steer ride, Dusty Starkey the junior breakaway, and Bobby Ward the 11-under-14 barrel race.
On behalf of the committee Griffiths thanked the spectators and community members for their support.
The money raised from the event is distributed to local community organisations.
