Oruru Valley Rodeo Club

17/03/2026

We had to do some re-routing for the actual ride, but access to our Helena Bay camp is still fine!

Come and join us for another awesome weekend, April 11th and 12th!

Register here:
https://forms.gle/uuLD96NAoQoCKnQ88

04/02/2026

If anyone’s looking for a chance to take some pretty photos then get in touch with Marcia!
Supporting Mangonui Pony Club

28/01/2026

Here’s an opportunity for budding Junior and 2nd Div Roughstock Riders!

🗣️ Calling all Junior & Second Division Rough Stock Riders

Murrey Dette has been kind enough to give back to the sport he loves, creating a Rough Stock Sponsorship Opportunity aimed at supporting the next generation of riders.

This opportunity is open to:
👉 2x Junior Rough Stock Riders
👉 2x Second Division Rough Stock Riders

What’s being offered?
Four cash sponsorships of $1,500 each, designed to help further your rodeo career whether that’s travel, gear, training, or competition costs.

This is a really special opportunity, with applications closing on the 1st of March. We encourage all eligible riders to get their applications in.

Thank you again Murrey for your generosity and for creating this opportunity for our young competitors.

21/01/2026

📣📣📣 Fundraiser Trek Registration CANCELLED for April 11-12, 2026

The Committee has made the difficult decision to CANCEL the April 2026 trek, for a variety of reasons.

Those who have registered and paid will be contacted in the next couple of days and refunds will be organised.

Thank you 🙏

08/01/2026

As the dust settles (or the mud dries) from Christmas rodeo run, we can finally take a minute to say THANK YOU!

Thank you to our Committee and Club Members who put in many, many hours to prepare for our Rodeo - both before and on the day.

Thank you to our Sponsors:
- Peria A&P Association
- Ahipara Septic
- Mid Northern Rodeo Association
- Ross Matheson
- Kinetic Electrical
- Tim Brandon Livestock
- NorVets
- Chad Scrivener Mustering Services
- Adventure North
- Northland Honda
- Zinzan Tubs - Livestock Agent
- Masters Charters
- Brad Nattrass AFFCO
- My Kitchen on Wheels
- Temataa Station
- Mangonui Haulage
- Shane Savill
- Ash Clifford

Thank you to our stock contractors, judges, bullfighters, timekeepers, pick-up riders, arena clearers, and competitors (218 competitors this year!)

Thank you to ALL our workers, from our big/little Chute Boss, Yard Boss and Timed Event Directors, all the way through to our Yardmen, Gate Openers, Entry Gate Volunteers and runners, and anyone that was given a job when they politely asked if there was anything they could do to help.

And THANK YOU to our spectators - thank you for supporting our Club and NZ Rodeo by showing up and purchasing merchandise - we hope you enjoyed the day despite the patchy start with the weather!

See you again, January 3rd 2027! Lock it in!

02/01/2026

If you missed it, today’s action at Far North Rodeo was ON FIRE!!!

One highlight was our very own Cowgirl Annie, who partnered up with Father-in-law and National Judge Dennis O’Callaghan who laid down a smoking 8.17 second Team Roping run as the clouds closed in.

Tomorrow is set to be a great day again as the competitors all go head to head here at Oruru Valley Rodeo!

—————————
January 3rd 2026
Peria Saleyards, Oruru Rd, Far North
Gates open 9am
$15 Adults
$10 Child (under 15)
Under 5s free
$40 Whanau pass (2 Adults, 2 Children)
CASH ONLY. NO DOGS.
—————————

30/12/2025

It’s been a great start to the Christmas Rodeo run, with some awesome performances!

It’s going to be an awesome day on January 3rd - we are hoping the sun shines for us!

—————————
January 3rd 2026
Peria Saleyards, Oruru Rd, Far North
Gates open 9am
$15 Adults
$10 Child (under 15)
Under 5s free
$40 Whanau pass (2 Adults, 2 Children)
CASH ONLY. NO DOGS.
—————————

𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗖𝗔𝗡 𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗣 𝗥𝗢𝗗𝗘𝗢 𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗛𝗢𝗠𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦!
So the weather Gods didn’t play ball early in the day but the strong crowd of rodeo fans that came through the gates got plenty of outstanding action and when the sun finally broke through for the open events it capped off another awesome day of rodeo at one of the best rodeo grounds in New Zealand.

It's one of our favourites for sure and all the top North Island cowboys and cowgirls turned up and turned on a great day of action.

Here's a few of the highlights:

𝗚𝗢 𝗭𝗔𝗖𝗞!
The 19yo Te Karaka cowboy Zack Taylor is the real deal!
A two event roughstock cowboy today broke open in the Ba****ck event and is well on his way to doing the same in the Saddle Bronc event as well. He won 2nd Division today then placed third in the open contest, keep an eye on this young fella into the future.

𝗦𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗡 𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗠 𝗦𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗡 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗦𝗔𝗠!
With the Godfather of NZ Rodeo, Mervyn Church OBE watching on, Sam Church did what he has done at every rodeo so far this season, he won the Open Ba****ck contest with a strong 69pt ride on ‘Alf’ to make it seven from seven event wins and he holds a commanding lead in the national standings.

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗔𝗨𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗘𝗦 𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗡'𝗧 𝗢𝗡 𝗛𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗗𝗔𝗬!
Once again proving they haven’t come for a holiday the ‘Aussie’ cowboys and cowgirls got amongst it today at Rerewhakaaitu led by Johnny Gordon who made it back-to-back Steer Wrestling wins and Kolt Ferguson, one of the rodeo royalty Aussie ‘Ferguson Family’ who improved on his second placing yesterday at Opotiki with a win and the highpoint marking of the season so far with 73pts on the big bucking paint bronc ‘Resene’ in the Saddle Bronc contest.

Expat Kiwi (Western Australia) based Tui Magner collected fourth place money in the Barrel Race, Brandee Ferguson picked up third place money in Breakaway Roping, Aja Tito just once place back. Maybe we’re giving them too much horse power???

Nah, it’s great to have you all over here, bring your mates, then we can have a ‘bucking Bledisloe’ with some timed events too and a Trans-Tasman test in Aotearoa?

𝗪𝗢𝗢𝗗 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗕𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗘𝗩𝗘 𝗜𝗧!
The Te Awamutu based Wood sisters are burning it up this season and today both sisters added to their season tally with Lylah and ‘Dice’ winning the Breakaway Roping contest in 3.34 secs, just a cruise compared to the fastest time in the open ranks for the season that they have run at 2.435 secs.
They held off our very own NZRCA Secretary Jayde Asher who with a second placing now joins the All Round cowgirl standings and will be one to watch throughout the season as she Breakaway Ropes and Team Ropes with partner Aaron Church Junior.

Lylah and ‘Dice’ then backed-up for their second event, the 2nd Divi Barrel Race and finished second behind younger sister Riley and ‘Boston’ who claimed their fourth win for the season in this event.
There’s something in the water up there in Te Awamutu, these cowgirls are nailing it and giving Mum, Shelly lots of great photo opportunities!!

𝗟𝗢𝗧𝗧𝗦 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗣𝗢𝗧𝗧𝗦!
It’s been a great Christmas run so far for the now Taumarunui based cowboy Will Potts including back-to-back wins in the Rope and Tie at Opotiki and Rerewhakaaitu and he shows no signs of slowing down in his quest to claim his first All Round NZRCA Champion Cowboy title. And he better not slow down, in the rear-vision mirror with still two-thirds of the season to go, there’s some very awesome cowboys who have him in their sights!

But this kid is good and it’s going to be fascinating to watch the season unfold.
All the best cowboy for your title challenge.

𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗗 𝗕𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗚𝗢 𝗢𝗡𝗘-𝗧𝗪𝗢!
There’s no doubt the bulls in New Zealand right now have the upper hand over the cowboys.
We saw it at the PBR Australia Tasman Cup and it’s translated to the last few event where there have been no qualified rides but today, at Rerewhakaaitu, the home of champions, a couple of champions stepped up!

Klay Ward won the day with a great spurring ride on ‘Upper Cut’ for 85pts to move into second place in the standings behind brother Rylee who made the only other qualified ride on board ‘Chop Suey’ for 78pts to see him remain at the top of the standings early in the Christmas run.

Rylee heads to the USA after the Christmas run so he’ll be keen to rack up plenty of money to (hopefully) come back for finals and have a crack at a NZ record breaking four-in-a-row NZRCA Bull Ride titles.

𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗦, 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗦, 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗧𝗔𝗕!
Matamata cowboy Kurtis Pertab has been close to a few rodeo goals in his time, the question is, could this finally be the year?? He is a master with a lariat, no question.
In the Rope and Tie and Team Roping events he has so often been in the mix and sadly just fallen short.

As we stand right now, Kurtis is around $900 behind Will Potts in the Rope and Tie but after making a qualified run today with Bevan Clayton Greene in the Team Roping, Kurtis is well and truly in the mix in both events and importantly, he now sits third in the All Round Cowboy title chase.
He's just $2600 or so behind Will in the All Round title hunt and there’s a long way to go in this season!

A couple of Team Roping wins will deal with that and he’s got one of the sharpest headers in the country on the other side in Bevan Clayton-Greene who will invariably make the head catch, it’s going to be up to Kurtis to define his destiny and place in the record books by getting get the job done at the back-end if he want’s to be in contention come finals time at Waikouaiti Rodeo on the 14th March. This is going to be awesome to watch. And we’ll be following every step of the way!

Today a rest day then onto Warkworth Rodeo on New Year’s Day then on the 2nd of January we rodeo in the north (Far North Rodeo Events) and in the South (Wanaka Rodeo) before we go to Oruru Valley Rodeo Club on the 3rd January.

A full calendar of events here:
https://www.rodeonz.co.nz/upcoming-events/

Full results from Rerewhakaaitu Rodeo here:
https://www.rodeonz.co.nz/results/2025-2026-club-results/rerewhakaaitu-rodeo-30-december-2025/

Photo and words Stephen Mowbray
(Any errors / missing horse names, please PM me with details!)

30/12/2025

Here’s our line up for January 3rd!

Come along and cheer for some of our very own LOCALS
- 9.30am - Local Barrel Race
- before Lunch - Local Bull Ride
Due to high competitor numbers, there are limited spots for both rides so make sure you sign up early on the day at our Office (black cabin)

Competitor numbers are HIGH so it’s gonna be a GREAT DAY!
Woop Woop
—————————
January 3rd 2026
Peria Saleyards, Oruru Rd, Far North
Gates open 9am
$15 Adults
$10 Child (under 15)
Under 5s free
$40 Whanau pass (2 Adults, 2 Children)
CASH ONLY. NO DOGS.
—————————

28/12/2025

Woop Woop

Our very own Annie O'Callaghan made it to the Open ranks of Barrel racing!

You can watch her and Vegas at home in our arena:

January 3rd 2026
Peria Saleyards, Oruru Rd, Far North
Gates open 9am
$15 Adults
$10 Child (under 15)
Under 5s free
$40 Whanau pass (2 Adults, 2 Children)

𝗢𝗣𝗢𝗧𝗜𝗞𝗜 𝗗𝗢𝗘𝗦 𝗜𝗧 𝗔𝗚𝗔𝗜𝗡!
Another massive crowd gathered at the Opotiki Rodeo Association grounds today for the annual rodeo and weren’t they treated to some awesome action!

𝗧𝗪𝗢 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗪𝗚𝗜𝗥𝗟𝗦 𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗡!
A special congratulations to two cowgirls who took the big step in their rodeo careers by earning enough money to ‘break open’ in their individual events which means they now will be able to compete against the best in New Zealand and perhaps one day win a New Zealand Champion title in their event.

The first one we congratulate is Kaitaia cowgirl Annie O’Callaghan who broke open in the Barrel Race event winning her 2nd Division Race this morning on board her 10yo gelding ‘Vegas’ (by Riarmas Sugar N Oaks) in time of 17.372 secs then placing 7th in the Open Barrel Race just a couple of hours later!

And a big congratulations to Oparau cowgirl Raewyn Gilbert who placed third in the Breakaway Roping contest with her 10yo gelding ‘Yogi Bear’ and pocketed enough in prize money to see her move into the open ranks.

These two new additions to the open events brings the total to 7 who have moved up to the elite level so far this season, well on track for this to perhaps be a record year of new open competitors.
We’ll be keeping a tally and congratulating the class of 2025-2026 along the way!

𝗦𝗜𝗫 𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗠 𝗦𝗜𝗫 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗦𝗔𝗠!
Sam Church made it six wins from six events in the open Ba****ck contest and did it in style with the season high score so far of 78pts on board ‘Feral’.

𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞, 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗢𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥 𝗪𝗢𝗢𝗗 𝗖𝗢𝗪𝗚𝗜𝗥𝗟 𝗜𝗦 𝗢𝗡 𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗘!
We’re not sure what’s in the water in Te Awamutu but the Wood sisters have been on fire so far this season. Headlines so far have been skewed towards Riley and ‘Boston’ winning three out of six 2nd Divi Barrel Race events but today younger sister Lylah was the headline maker!

Lylah and her wonder horse ‘Dice’ made their first time in the open Breakaway Roping contest for the season and put the rest of the field on notice by running the season’s fastest open Breakaway Roping time so far stopping the clock in just 2.345 secs.
Angus Smith holds the overall fastest time running a New Zealand record time of 1.960 second time in the Junior Breakaway Roping earlier in the season at Hawkes Bay.

Lylah and ‘Dice’ made it an extra-special day by placing 2nd in the 2nd Divi Barrel Race with it again being their first qualified run for the season. Watch out, they’re off and these two are only getting better !!

𝗩𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗦 𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗔𝗬 𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗢𝗪!
We had a few visitors from over the ditch today at Opotiki and they proved they weren’t just here for a holiday! Aussies Michael Neylon (67pts) and Kolt Ferguson (65pts) made the only 2 qualified rides to collect some Kiwi cash to pay for their airfares in the Open Saddle Bronc and Tui Magner placed 4th in the Barrel Race and Aja Tito also picked up a fourth placing in the Breakaway Roping.

Aussie cowboy Johnny Gordon won the Steer Wrestling contest then backed-up on heeling duties in the Team Roping with Junior cowboy Colby Morris on the heading side and they put down a qualified run to be third at the pay window. Kia Ora and congratulations to our international visitors, great to have you over here.

In the All Round Champion Cowboy standings Will Potts added to his lead in the Rope and Tie contest adding his second win, (the first at Hawkes Bay) with a 12.20 sec time and with a second placing at Methven and this talented roper now leads the All Round, the Rope and Tie and the Team Roping Header standings.

All that might change when we update the results from the Omarama Rodeo which was also held today.
Stay tuned, just need to have dinner!!

All today’s results from Opotiki Rodeo are here:
https://www.rodeonz.co.nz/results/2025-2026-club-results/opotiki-rodeo-28-december-2025/

Photo and words (let me know any errors by PM)
Stephen Mowbray

25/12/2025

What’s your favourite?

🐎 Ba****ck Bronc
No saddle, no reins—just raw power. Riders hold on with a single rigging while the horse explodes underneath them. The most physically demanding ride in rodeo.

🐴 Rope and Tie
Precision and speed collide as a rider ropes a calf, dismounts, and ties three legs in a choreographed burst of athleticism.

🐐 Breakaway Roping
A rope around the calf’s neck triggers a clean breakaway from the saddle horn for an official time. Fast, exciting, and growing rapidly in NZ.

🐎 Saddle Bronc
Classic rodeo at its finest. Cowboys hang on with pure skill and grit while a bronc tries its best to send them sky-high. Eight seconds has never felt so long!

🐎 Barrel Racing
Fast, fierce, and female-driven. Horse and rider sprint a clover-leaf pattern around three barrels with explosive speed and tight turns. Fastest clean run wins.

🐮 Steer Wrestling
Blink and you’ll miss it. A cowboy leaps from a galloping horse onto a running steer and wrestles it to the ground in seconds. Speed + technique = magic.

🐴 Team Roping
Two riders, one goal. The header ropes the horns, the heeler ropes the back legs. Perfect teamwork, perfect timing, perfect run.

🐂 Bull Riding
The crowd favourite. One rider, one massive bull, eight seconds of chaos. Strength, courage, and a little bit of madness required.

—————————
JANUARY 3rd 2026
Peria Saleyards, Oruru, Far North.
Gates open 9am
$15 Adult
$10 Child (under 15)
$40 Family Pass (2 Adults & 2 Children)

Come along for an awesome day out, with entertainment for the whole family, delicious kai and some other great stalls!
—————————

15/12/2025

This applies to all competitors … if you are bring a support person behind the chutes this applies to them too.

So don’t be offended if you are denied entry or asked to leave - we have standards to uphold ☺️

🚨 ATTENTION COMPETITORS 🚨

As we approach Cowboy Christmas it’s important to note that:

NZRCA Rule 14.6 – Mandatory Attire is being enforced at all events.

Please ensure you are compliant before entering the arena or chutes.