Chiltern has become renowned as the breeding ground for many a young rodeo talent.
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Those rising stars will be riding, roping and generally strutting their stuff on Sunday, March 10 for the annual rodeo at Chiltern Racecourse Reserve.
The rodeo, which has been held for more than 20 years, has become a much-loved event on the town's calendar.
It's billed as a family-friendly evening of action-packed entertainment with all the thrills and spills of the bull-riding, barrel racing, roping and steer events.
Local superstar Molly Phibbs, 18, has graduated to the senior ranks of barrel racing after a stellar run through the junior ranks and she'll be going for broke in the ladies event in front of her home crowd on Sunday.
Another young gun, Jarrod McKane, 17, will saddle up for the open bareback and second division bull riding.
Behind the scenes always quietly encouraging and supporting this young talent is one of the Chiltern rodeo committee's esteemed stalwarts, Kelvin Duke.
This former rodeo rider has been the glue that’s kept the event running for two decades.
In December 2017, Mr Duke was honoured with a life membership to the rodeo committee at an event that also saw the main arena officially named in his honour.
“I love the sport, I love the town and I love seeing people enjoying rodeo,” he said.
He'll be hoping to see spectators and competitors alike dusting off their boots and pouring through the gates once again come Sunday.
- The main event starts 6pm: $25 entry; $55 family; $15 concession.
