For his tiresome work in helping prepare amenities and being jack-of-all-trades at the grounds, the committee opted to present him with a rodeo jacket and certificate of appreciation.

Rodeo president Cameron Glass said that Payne didn’t have the words “knock off time” in his vocabulary.

“There’s times when we wanted to pack up and go home after a hard day but not Payney. He just keeps going and going.”

But Payne, along with the big crowd in attendance for the twilight event, couldn’t help but be amused when the World Championship Cowhide Drag (“the $330,000 world championship, but don’t cash the cheque straight away” according to Cameron Glass) came on.

Names of toned-up cowboys and cowgirls were on the list of entrants. So too was 11-year-old Bendemeer rider Braith Nock.

At the completion of the heats, which required entrants to be pulled around a barrel (on a cow hide) by a horse and rider against the clock, Braith Nock and his aunt Sonia Reid faced each other in the final.

Braith, who was pulled around by Matt Hancock, won to the hearty cheers of the crowd.

When asked by event co-ordinator Jesse Glass “how do you feel after the win”, Braith replied “dirty”. 

And “what will you spend the $330,000 prizemoney on?” “Everything” came the reply.

On a serious note, Nock saddled up to win the 11-14yr barrel in 16.91sec.

 Lochinvar riders Thomas Hutton won the Under 11 and Rebecca Roberts the 14-18yrs.

Attunga talents Jannette Glass took out her fourth steer undecorating title in 2.11sec (over Jess Gray and Sally Pilgrim), and Brittany McVicar came up trumps in the breakaway roping with 2.79sec over Lauren Smith and Nicole Fitzpatrick.

Other results include Katie Vaughan (16.90sec) in the novice barrel, Codie Whitfield (2.95sec) junior breakaway roping, Christopher Wilson (75) in the 11-14 steer ride and Jonty Raaen (73) in the 14-18 steer ride.