Sunday was a day of sun and dust, with cowboys and cowgirls taking their chances on horses and bulls.

For more than 50 years, the annual Ōpōtiki Rodeo has entertained crowds, and Sunday proved no different, with an action-packed programme lined up for eager spectators.

Traffic to the event was busy, with Rhythm and Vines festivalgoers clogging the roads, but that didn’t stop hundreds of rodeo fans from pouring through the gates.

The day kicked off with second-division barrel racing and was capped off by the premier event, the open bull ride.

Top competitors from New Zealand and Australia were on display, including Sam Church, who made it six wins from six events in the open bareback contest.

He did so in style, posting the season’s highest score to date with 78 points. Rylee Ward and Justine Gibson also delivered impressive performances.

Kaitaia cowgirl Annie O’Callaghan burst onto the scene in the barrel racing, winning her second-division race before placing seventh in the open barrel race just a couple of hours later.

Lylah Wood also impressed in the open breakaway roping, putting the rest of the field on notice by recording the fastest open breakaway roping time of the season so far, stopping the clock at just 2.345 seconds.

Australian competitors Michael Neylon and Kolt Ferguson scored well in the open saddle bronc, while fellow Aussie cowboy Johnny Gordon claimed victory in the open steer wrestling.

In the All-Round Champion Cowboy standings, Will Potts sits atop the leaderboard after extending his lead in the rope and tie.

His time of 12.20 seconds and a second-place finish at Methven see the talented roper leading the all-round, rope and tie, and team roping header standings.

Fine weather complemented the action-packed day, with quality food and entertainment ensuring everyone in attendance got their money’s worth.