MYRTLEFORD'S Golden Spurs Rodeo organisers last night were presented with a memento of their induction into the Australian Professional Rodeo Association Hall of Fame honour.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The plaque was presented to Myrtleford Lions Club president John Panlook at the conclusion of another successful Boxing Day event which drew an estimated crowd of more than 3000 people.
The Golden Spurs rodeo was first held in 1953 and was originally run by the town's RSL club before the baton was handed over to the Lions Club more than 30 years ago.
Club officials didn't attend the induction evening held earlier this year.
The Rock's John "Halppy" Gill, who has been a rodeo stock contractor for decades, also took part in the Hall of Fame presentation last night along with a representative from APRA.
"We've had a lot of firsts with our event here in Myrtleford with a lot of ladies events," Mr Panlook said.
"It was something we were nominated for.
"We found out about eight months ago and we are all very proud of it.
"But without John Gill's help and acknowledgement it probably wouldn't have happened and as far as I am concerned he is the best stock supplier you can have,
"He has been doing for longer than I can remember, but it has been a damn good relationship."
This year's Golden Spurs winner was Victorian Dylan Richardson and the Silver Spurs were taken home by Samantha Shaw.
But open bull ride jackpot stayed intact for the third successive year and will be worth $4000 in 2020.
The top six bull ride cowboys compete for the jackpot.
Goulburn Valley competitor Cody Tyrrell won his second open bareback title in three years when he was successful last night and US rider Cooper Thatcher from Wyoming took out the saddle bronc event.
Mr Panlook said no consideration was given to calling the event off despite the lingering smoke from bushfires burning to the north and south of the town.
"Not a chance in hell. Boxing Day is ours," he said.
Lions Club committee member and arena manager Ben Browne said the line-up of competitors and stock were on a par with previous years
"The quality of competitors this year is second to none and we've got a lot who have come down from the Northern Territory and Queensland," he said.
"The arena itself starts getting erected a week before and then the stock starts turning up two or three days beforehand."
The rodeo circuit moves to Yarrawonga today before competitors head to Tumbarumba on New Year's Day.
