27/10/2026
What a weekend! 🤠
𝗟𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞𝗘𝗡𝗗 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗦
𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗠 𝗚𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗧𝗢 𝗚𝗟𝗢𝗥𝗬: 𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗬𝗧𝗢𝗡 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗦’ 𝗙𝗜𝗩𝗘-𝗪𝗜𝗡 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞𝗘𝗡𝗗 🔥
If there was one name that kept popping up across the results sheets this weekend, it was Gore’s Clayton Perkins. The reigning 2025–26 NZRCA Junior All Round and Junior Barrel Racing Champion certainly wasn’t resting on last season’s success, putting together a huge weekend across Wi******er and Methven. Alongside “Miss Kitty”, Clayton swept the Junior Barrel Racing with wins at both rodeos, including a sizzling 15.949 at Methven. He also completed the double in the Novice Steer Riding, scoring 59 points at Wi******er and 62 at Methven, and added a 3.2-second Junior Breakaway win at Wi******er for good measure.
Five wins across three events over two rodeos. Not a bad way to start a season!
𝗕𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞
Reigning NZRCA Ba****ck Champion Sam Church of Geraldine got his season off to a winning start at Wi******er, taking the Open Ba****ck with a 66-point ride, just ahead of Clayton Buchanan on 64. Methven proved a tougher day for the Open field, with no qualified rides recorded.
In the 2nd Division ranks, Tauroa Taute-Collier took the Wi******er win with 54 points, before Cody Davis produced an impressive 71-point ride at Methven to take Sunday’s honours.
𝗦𝗔𝗗𝗗𝗟𝗘 𝗕𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗖
After a tough day at Wi******er saw no qualified rides in the Open Saddle Bronc, it was Dunback’s two-time NZRCA Saddle Bronc Champion Paul Robinson who made the whistle at Methven, putting 59 points on the board for the win. Paul’s last National Saddle Bronc title came back in 2012–13, having also claimed the title in 2010–11, so it was pretty cool to see the veteran cowboy back at the top of the results sheet.
In 2nd Division, Ben Meredith took the Wi******er win with 59 points, ahead of James Ensor on 53. At Methven, Mitchell Gunn turned his Wi******er N/T around to take Sunday’s honours with a 43-point ride.
𝗕𝗔𝗥𝗥𝗘𝗟 𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗜𝗡𝗚
At Wi******er, the long trip south from Mangakino paid off for 2024–25 All Round Rookie Champion Brooke Atkinson and three-time NZRCA Barrel Racing Horse of the Year “Methven”, who came out firing to take the win in 15.972 seconds. Fairlie cowgirl and reigning Open Barrel Racing Champion Kate Hughes and “Sister” chased them home in 16.243, while Te Awamutu’s Riley Wood and “Boston” claimed third in 16.311. Local Wi******er Rodeo Club member Kate Haugh and “Huey” rounded out the money in 16.328, giving the home club another result to celebrate.
At Methven, a timer malfunction meant the Judges’ stopwatch times were used for the results, so times were recorded to two decimal places. Outram’s Tyla Toheriri and “Tanner” turned up the heat with a 15.91-second run for the win. Hot on their heels were Riley Wood and “Boston” in 15.93, a cracking result for the reigning Rookie All Round Cowgirl and Rookie Barrel Racing Champion as she begins her first full season in the Open ranks. Oamaru’s Claire Smith and Clandeb Hennessy were impressive in third with 16.10, a great result for Hennessy in just her second season competing. And 'supermum' Kate Hughes, only recently welcoming her second child, certainly didn’t hold back either, rounding out the money with “Sister” in 16.11 for fourth and completing two smoking runs across the weekend.
In 2nd Division at Wi******er, Oamaru-based Mila Andrews and “Elvis” led the charge, taking the win in 16.600 seconds. Tegan Hood was close behind in 16.660, with Amelia Knowles third and Chloe Lilley fourth.
Then at Methven, Christchurch-based Louise Poultney and “Halo” well and truly outdid themselves. After sitting in the dreaded “crying hole” with fifth at Wi******er, they stormed home for the win in 16.427 seconds, and no doubt there were a few tears of joy this time! Mila and Elvis backed up their Wi******er win with second in 16.496, while Kelsey Gaiger and “Tess” were just two thousandths behind in 16.498 for third, with Mae Reeves rounding out the top four.
In the Juniors at Wi******er, Clayton Perkins and “Miss Kitty” took the win in 16.211 seconds, with Ruby Boyd chasing them home in 16.468. Zoe Clark took third in 16.860 with Estella Meehan fourth in 16.908.
At Methven, Clayton completed the double with a sizzling 15.949. Zoe Clark stepped things up to take second in 16.055, while Hannah Haugh climbed from fifth the day before to third in 16.156. Miria Tauariki rounded out the money in fourth with 16.487.
𝗕𝗨𝗟𝗟 𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚
At Wi******er, Cromwell’s Clayton Buchanan was the only cowboy to make the eight seconds count in the Open, putting 73 points on the board to take the win on board Mainfert Slippery Steve.
At Methven, the Mainfert-sponsored Jamison Bucking Bulls from Hawarden showed just how strong a pen they’d brought south, shutting out the entire Open field with no qualified rides recorded. That left Clayton’s 73-point effort at Wi******er as the only qualified Open Bull Ride of the weekend.
The 2nd Division riders had better luck getting to the whistle. At Wi******er, Taupō’s Ty Blake led the charge with 70 points for the win. Laine Lilley was close behind with 68, while Rylee Mallalieu and Tyson Tweedie shared third on 65.
At Methven, Whiterocks-based Leroy Max came out on top with a 68-point ride. Charles Oliveira stepped things up from his Wi******er ride to score 64 for second, with Cash Parsons third on 63. Rylee Mallalieu capped off a consistent weekend with 62 points for fourth, having also shared third at Wi******er.
𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗘𝗥 𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚
In the Novice Steer Riding at Wi******er, Clayton Perkins took the win with a 59-point ride, just one point ahead of Jimmy Jones on 58, while Mason Montgomery took third with 52.
At Methven, Clayton completed the weekend double with 62 points. Rylan Wakelin took second with 57, Codee Cleaver third with 54, and Jimmy Jones rounded out the money with 49 points.
In the Junior Steer Riding at Wi******er, reigning 2025–26 NZRCA Junior Steer Riding Champion Monte Armstrong showed why he carries the title, taking the win with a 54-point ride. Tayne Larson-Macaulay was close behind with 51 points for second.
At Methven, it was Tayne’s turn to come out on top, going one better with a 52-point ride, while the remainder of the field were unable to record a qualified score.
𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘 & 𝗧𝗜𝗘
It was a battle of the champions across the weekend, with Hawea Flat’s reigning and 13-time NZRCA Rope & Tie Champion Patrick McCarthy taking the Wi******er win in 12.9 seconds, ahead of Dean Hudson and former National Champion Ryan O’Callaghan.
Come Methven, the tables were turned, with Far North’s Ryan O’Callaghan firing back with an impressive 10.4-second run to take the win, ahead of Patrick McCarthy in 13.7. Methven holds some pretty special memories for Ryan. He won his 2023–24 NZRCA Rope & Tie Championship there at the National Finals, where his fastest run was 10.18 seconds. This weekend’s 10.4 shows he clearly still likes that Methven arena!
𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗬 𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗚
It really was another battle of the champions, with a seriously credentialled Breakaway field lining up across the weekend.
𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘰𝘯𝘦-𝘥𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘭-𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘳𝘶𝘭𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘸𝘯 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴. 𝘈 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘦 𝘨𝘰 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘧𝘶𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳: 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘥-𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘥𝘰𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘦-𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘑𝘶𝘥𝘨𝘦𝘴’ 𝘚𝘩𝘦𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘳𝘶𝘭𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘭𝘺. 𝗦𝗼, 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗯𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗻𝗼𝘄. 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲! 😅
At Wi******er, Te Awamutu’s Lylah Wood and 2024–25 Open Breakaway Champion Sophie Smith of Tarras both came out firing, with their times recorded at 3.0 seconds under the new one-decimal-place rule to share first place. Rotorua’s 2024–25 All Around Cowgirl Ariana Halley took third in 4.2 seconds, with Hawea Flat’s Deanna McCarthy, the 2022–23 Rookie Breakaway Champion, fourth in 4.3 seconds. for now. Reader beware - this might change! 😅
At Methven, Cave’s 2023–24 Rookie Breakaway Champion Liz Hampton took her turn at the top, winning in 3.8 seconds. Ariana backed up her Wi******er placing with second in 3.9, while 2023–24 Open Breakaway Champion Lani Jackson of Rotorua claimed third in 4.0, and Oamaru’s Felicity Montgomery rounded out the money in 4.1-seconds.
In 2nd Division at Wi******er, Clarks Junction’s Janna Nichol was the only roper to get a time on the board, making her catch count with a 4.6-second run to take the win.
In the Juniors at Wi******er, Clayton Perkins added the Junior Breakaway to his haul with a sharp 3.2-second run. Rotorua’s Rein Jackson wasn’t far behind in 3.5 for second, with Alyce Dering third in 15.1 seconds.
At Methven, it was Rein’s turn to take the honours. In a tough round, he was the only Junior to record a successful catch, stopping the clock at 13.1 seconds for the win.
𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗚
There was definitely a family flavour to the Team Roping across the weekend, with plenty of relatives teaming up and getting amongst the money.
At Wi******er, Rotorua aunty-and-nephew combination Lani Jackson and O’Sharn Jackson proved that family who rope together, win together, taking the win with a 13.0-second run.
Local South Canterbury pair Liz Hampton and Ben Haugh, both members of the Wi******er Rodeo committee, gave their home crowd plenty to cheer about with second in 15.0, while Far North son-and-father combo Ryan and Dennis O’Callaghan finished third in 15.4. North Canterbury pair Kelvin Jones and Georgia Henderson rounded out the money in fourth with 18.6.
At Methven, Liz and Ben stepped things up another gear, storming home in a slick 8.5 seconds to go one better and take the win. Alexandra daughter-and-dad duo Amelia and Danny Knowles made it another family affair, putting together a 12.5-second run for second, while Mark Stewart and Andrew Jamison were hot on their heels in 12.6 for third.
𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗘𝗥 𝗪𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚
Experienced National Finals competitor Klay Lanigan was the only cowboy to get a time on the board across the weekend, taking the Wi******er win. Methven proved even tougher, with no qualified times recorded.
𝗗𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗗𝗨𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗗
And just like that, another cracking South Island rodeo weekend is in the books! From the champions showing they’ve still got it to the young guns coming through, family teams getting the job done and plenty of miles travelled just to nod your head or back into the box, there was no shortage of stories out of Wi******er and Methven.
A huge congratulations to everyone who got amongst it, and an equally big thank you to the committees, volunteers, stock contractors and everyone working behind the scenes to make these rodeos happen.
If this weekend is anything to go by, we’re in for one heck of a season! 🤠🔥
𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀 (𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲) 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲:
https://www.rodeonz.co.nz/i/202627/Wi******erRodeoResults2026.pdf
https://www.rodeonz.co.nz/i/202627/MethvenResults2026.pdf
Words by Gemma Oliver... (all care was taken in writing these, humble apologies if I got anything wrong...)
Photo Credit: Caitlin Crack of CC Photography
