This week we take a look back at all of the action and drama of the season just gone. New Zealand Rodeo President Gary Jackson fills us in on a little history of rodeo in New Zealand and gives us the heads up on the great season ahead. We spend some time with Corey Church as he shows us around his farm and we take a look at the preparation for the Oruru rodeo.
This week Rodeo Kaupoai heads to the far north, where the summer sun is blazing and things are about to heat up at the two day Oruru Rodeo. Cory Church has his game face on and is looking to clean up at Oruru, but Oruru's got a few surprises in store for Corey. 2006 rookie of the year Frasier Babbington gives everyone notice on the open bulls, there's a new cowboy in town. We catch up with the local motocross team, one year on from a near fatal crash in Oruru
It's another scorcher in the far North as we dive straight into the action in day two of the Oruru Rodeo. Cory bounces back from yesterdays' lack luster performance in a big way. It's baptism by fire when a new cowboy tussles with a bull and gets burnt. Teenage star Hona looks to miss out on his ride after failing to register for the Oruru rodeo.
This week we are in the heart of Rodeo in Aotearoa, Rerewhakaaitu! We spend time with young barrel rider Ariana and her father Charlie Halley at their home in Rerewhakaaitu. We meet second division Bull rider Hona Aupouri, coming off a win in Oruru he's looking to grab a good ride in Rerewhakaaitu. The open bull ride turns into a slugfest with Fraser Babbington, Johnny Ward and the Churches duking it out for the top spot.
This week we head north, just outside of Whangarei to the two day Mid Northern rodeo. It's raining at the Mid Northern, but this close to the finals all the cowboys are looking to ride for points to qualify for the Nationals. We meet female bull rider Amy, who's come to town looking to jump on some bulls. Then we slip and slide in the mud in the saddle broncs and cowboy up on the rank Fred Teixeira bulls.
This week we're back at the Mid Northern Rodeo, the mid point in the Summer Rodeo Circuit. The suns come out and Johnny Ward goes head to head with Daryl Church and Fraser Babbington on the open bulls. Corey and Clarry Church hit the saddle broncs at full speed, but their going to have to get past bronc riding specialist Davey Ashford to get to the pay window.
This week Rodeo Kaupoai hits the road again and heads to Huntly, the next stop on the Summer Rodeo Circuit. We watch as a second division rider breaks open and takes on her Aunties in the open barrel racing. Then Jonny Ward and Daryl Church jostle for position on the leader board in the open bulls
This week Rodeo Kaupoai heads to the Kihikihi rodeo and the count down is on, only two more rodeo's till the National Finals! Second division barrel racer Nikita Halley has come to the rodeo but she won't be riding. Jonny Ward and the Church boys go head to head on the saddle broncs and then all hell breaks loose on the open bulls.
This week on Rodeo Kaupoai we head to the Urenui Rodeo, the last rodeo before the National finals. Ex NPC rugby player Raymond Lee Mason cowboys up to contest the rookie steer wrestling title. Big Dion Church is back to his old form in the steer wrestling and open bulls.
With the National Finals one week away, the cowboys head to Raetihi for American Champion bronc rider Dan Bauer's bronc riding school. We look back at the highs and lows of the rodeo season to date and see which cowboys are in contention for the national titles at the finals down south at Millers Flat, South Island
Its National Rodeo finals time and the top eight cowboys from each event are heading south to Millers Flat, just outside of Dunedin, to battle it out for the prestige and the honor of a National Finals title. Its full throttle action as Jonny Ward goes on the hunt for the open bull title and the overall cowboy title. Patrick McCarthy and Darryl Church look to spoil Jonny's day as they join in on the chase for the overall cowboy title. Serena Taylor looks to extend her lead in the open barrel racing standings and snatch the national barrel racing title.
Where back at Millers Flat, it's the second go round of the National finals, and the last chance for the top eight cowboys to put what they've got left in the tank towards a national title. Davey Ashford is retiring and is looking to end his career on a high note by winning the saddle bronc national title. The competition in the open barrel race between Serena Taylor and Stevie Church has come right down to the wire and the national champion will be determined by who runs the last race the fastest. And we find out which cowboy has done enough to win the vaunted overall cowboy title.