The Maryborough Harness Racing Club will play host to horses of a different kind when the M5Rodeo comes to the Carisbrook track in March.

Locals and visitors will get the chance to watch the finest cowboys/girls in action as they compete in roping events, barrel racing, bull riding and saddle bronc with some of Australia’s best bucking stock on the circuit which is supplied by Garry McPhee.  

Nicole McDonald’s family has been involved in rodeos for more than 50 years. She said it is important that the family-run business (her children are third-generation riders) provides family-friendly entertainment we want the general public to have an insight to our life style.

“Our events are all about families; parents with young kids who want to let their hair down for the day,” Nicole said.  

“The gates open at 4 o’clock and we run a full junior program where they come in and see all of our kids competing. Then we have Free Cow-Kids Hour for them to come and have a swing of the ropes and jump on the bucking dummies. We can answer any questions they have, there is free face painting and a free photo booth where kids can get a photo with ‘NoiseyBoy,’ one of our pick up horses which they will get to watch in action throughout the night. We want to make it an affordable day out for families.”

As well as live music throughout the evening, budding cowboys and girls can try their luck on the mechanical bull. As Nicole explained, while locals can compete on live animals, it is not a sport for amateurs.

“Rodeo today has really moved into a professional sport which we take pride in,” Nicole said.

“People who travel the circuit practice every day for their events. Like anything, it costs a lot of money to be involved so people take it seriously.

“If local people want to compete, they should contact us and we can put them in touch with somebody close by who is involved in the sport so they can get an idea on what to expect before they turn up.”