-as Rupununi Rodeo turns 71
WORKING cowboys and cowgirls from both Guyana and Brazil are all lined up to show off their cattle-herding and horse-riding skills at the  annual  Rupununi Rodeo, which takes place, as usual, at the Triple R Ground, in Lethem,  Region Nine (Upper Essequibo/Upper Takutu) over the Easter weekend.

Rodeo,  a competitive sport arising out of the working practices of cattle-herding,  is reputedly over a hundred years old the world over.

Reflecting the talents and skills of working cowboys, the three-day event is the 71st to be held in the Rupununi in as many years, a reliable source said yesterday.

According to Chairman of the Rupununi Rodeo Committee, Mr. John Macedo, this year’s rodeo is being called the ‘Eldorado Rupununi Rodeo’ in tribute to the Demerara Distilleries Limited (DDL), one of two major sponsors of the event, the other being Digicel.

Participants will be required to prove their mettle this year in a wide range of cattle-herding skills, such as tie-down roping, team roping, steer wrestling, saddle bronco-riding, bareback bronco-riding,  and the popular bull-riding and barrel-racing,  all events that involve horses and other livestock, and test the skills and speed of participating cowboy and cowgirl athletes.

Macedo said the programme is scheduled to start at 10:00h yesterday at a well-decorated ‘Triple R Ground’; the hectic cowboy and cowgirl action gets going shortly thereafter.

He said the locals, who are also called vaqueros, will be aiming to teach their Brazilian counterparts a thing or two about cattle-herding skills, such as lassoing, horse-riding and bull-riding during the event.

The evenings will comprise activities such as a cultural fair with food, games, music and the lively ‘Forro’ dance, which is a pair dance said to have its origin in northeastern Brazil.

Said Macedo: “As would be expected, the experienced Rupununi Rodeo Committee is on the ball to ensure that all preparations are completed in a timely manner. Stalls are being tidied, the ground has been slashed, and the water system is being tested, electricity is on, washroom facilities are in order; the ground   is a hive of activities.”

The fun area is set, and promises more swings, wheels and so on. He said the  Linden/Lethem road is in good shape, being used daily by minibuses, jeeps and other vehicles and machines, including motorcars.

He anticipates a larger than usual crowd of Rupununians, Coastlanders and international visitors  than last year, which other sources reported saw in excess of 10,000 spectators.
He said that thanks to training courses held for committee members by the regional Environmental Health Officer, and inputs from the Ministry of Health, hygienic standards have been greatly improved.
Appealing to potential visitors, Macedo said: “Rupununi Rodeo is an ever-growing magnet.  Allow yourself to be drawn. Don’t miss the fun, the food, the dances, the breath-taking events and the joy and thrill of the trail.   Come and be a part of Rupununi Rodeo 2011. We
look forward to entertaining you.”