THE BEST rodeo exponents in the country have a date with destiny in Canungra in just four months time when they arrive in town for the 2024 National Rodeo Association Finals.
The decision by the NRA to stage the event in Canungra is a first for the district and recognises the success of the annual Canungra Rodeo which recently attracted a crowd of almost 6000 to the local Showgrounds.
It’s also a major endorsement for the professionalism of the Canungra Show Society who will be charged to organise the biggest rodeo of the season.
NRA chairman, Jason Hall, said a number of venues put forward business cases to stage the finals, but Canungra was a standout choice.
“The central Southeast Qld location, the fact that the Canungra yearly rodeo is so popular and the dedicated local committee that runs that event all weighed heavily in the decision to lock in Canungra,” he said.
The finals this year will be staged over three rounds on Friday, November 29 and Saturday, November 30.
The first night session on Friday starts at 4pm, while the second round gets underway at 9am on Saturday morning, then after a break action will start again at 4pm on Saturday afternoon.
In all nine senior and five junior events will be contested by the top 12 competitors in each event from the season.
Finalists earned their place by winning points at any of the 100 rodeos that make up the hectic NRA season.
Long-time Canungra Show Society Rodeo Coordinator, Marilyn Sharland, said while the Nationals had never been held in the local area before there had been approaches to hold them here in the past.
“Maybe then the timing wasn’t right, but I am pleased to say the current dedicated and enthusiastic committee had no hesitation in jumping at the chance to put Canungra in the rodeo spotlight,” she said.
Canungra Show Society Vice President, Jo Day, endorsed Marilyn’s comments saying that the nationals will put Canungra on the map bringing not only great financial benefits, but also boosting tourism.
Tickets for the recent Canungra Rodeo sold out in just nine days and that augurs well for a capacity crowd attending the finals in November.
The advice is to be quick off the mark when tickets go on sale some time after the annual Canungra Show which this year will be held on August 24.
Jason Hall said rodeo fans should keep an eye on the NRA website page to get the first chance for tickets.
