THERE’S eight seconds on the clock.
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The cowboy hat’s on tight, a fuming bull snorts and kicks, and with a nod, the gate swings open.
That’s the kind of action the crowd can expect at the Tamworth Show Rodeo.
Organiser Brent Townsend said the best cowboys in the country have travelled to town ready to hang on for dear life.
“It will definitely be tough competition this year, we’ve got both Australian Bushmen's Campdraft and Rodeo Association and Australian Pro Rodeo Association cowboys competing and it’s always good watching the faster events,” he said.
“Our main performance will be the big event with all the rough stock events and timed events, cowboys racing against the clock and trying to stay on for eight seconds.”
But the event hasn’t been untouched by drought, the juvenile and junior steer riding section has been cancelled this year.
“I had trouble sourcing cattle and I wasn’t going to ask farmers to donate stock they’re already having to feed,” Mr Townsend said.
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“It’ll be a big thing this year but I hope to see farmers there because it’s one thing that might help them take their mind off the stress at home with the big dry.”
The event includes everything from bareback, saddle bronc, steer wrestling, team roping and the ladies barrel race – with a $1000 prize pool for each section.
The big event kicks off on Saturday September 1 from midday with the second performance at 5:30pm, held at AELEC.
“We think that we will excel here at the new facility with all the facilities on hand,” Mr Townsend said.