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President’s speech
Milling among the hordes of attendees, his Excellency President Donald Ramotar, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, and other special governmental invitees were warmly welcomed to witness the action.
Addressing the media at the event, President Ramotar said the Rodeo is getting better all the time as it continues to grow in size, attracting persons from Brazil, the Netherlands and other countries far and wide. He commended the rodeo committee for continually improving the infrastructure every year, and he emphasised that the event has now become a permanent feature on Guyana’s entertainment calendar.
He said the event has certainly grown in size and importance, not only for Rupununi residents, but for the entire Guyana, because of its attraction to tourists.
Citing continuous growth and expansion of the event, the President hinted that Lethem as a location has also grown and expanded in the last five years. While he acknowledged that electricity and the need for more hotels are issued to be tackled, he noted that ranching and the cattle industry will always grow in Lethem, and informed that the region is being viewed in an all-round manner, especially in the areas of development.
The region itself is being revived in an overall general development that is very exciting, he said; and while Lethem is a big challenge because of its terrain, there are plans to start developing hubs in the various villages, to ensure the youths become more acquainted with modern information technology.
Commenting on country ties, the President noted that while Lethem enjoys a good relationship with Brazil, the union is also driving Brazil positively as well, as the mutually beneficial relationship continues to flourish.
Festivity abounds
At the Double R Rhodeo Ground, music blasted all around as families and large groups continued pouring into the venue. The pavilion was packed to capacity, and the tantalizing aroma of succulent Guyanese and Brazilian delicacies pervaded the air from the numerous temporary food stalls and outlets set up outside the compound.
The event took on the pleasant ambience of an extremely large fair, as vendors traded art and craft, costume jewellery, beverages, and several other items. And those vending hats and apparel seemed to be making quite a fortune, as apparently everyone was desperately trying to acquire headwear and the correct apparel for the event.
Children yelped gleefully as they bounced about on the trapeze, or played various ring games to win colourful prizes.
Inside the pavilion, the cheers and laughter of the large crowd could be heard as representatives from various cattle ranches competed in the bull riding, bareback bronco, and many other events. While visitors from areas outside of Region 9 gasped and contorted themselves in fear and anxiety at the stunts performed by energetic cowboys, those from Lethem simply laughed on in glee, and cheered wildly even when some hapless contestants were thrown heavily from the bucking horses or madly raging bulls.
Some unlucky ones were dragged around the field dangerously by the incensed beasts, but they always managed to detangle themselves from the galloping animals and get to safety in time. This was certainly their kind of entertainment, and it was evident they adored the adventurous side of life.
In both the bull riding and bareback bronco events, the eventual winners were those who had managed to remain the longest on the madly bucking and cavorting animals. The crowd roared its delight as one very angry bull charged and pursued a man on horseback who was responsible for ensuring the cowboys got to safety after they had fallen from the animals. Of course, the horse outran the bull, but not before the crowd had thoroughly enjoyed the amusing spectacle.
Day Two of this very colourful event continues today, and we will certainly bring you the updates as the events unfold.
