IT was a huge night out, with a sell-out crowd for Saturday night’s Hamilton Rodeo.

It was a double header with the Hamilton Racing Club hosting a race meet on Friday, before backing up with the rodeo on Saturday.

Club manager, Peta Anderson said the event exceeded all expectations and will take on feedback on how to improve the event ahead of the 2024 edition.

“Being our first time, we were overwhelmed by the crowd numbers and we are definitely looking at ways to increase viewing areas and making it even bigger,” she said.

“We are going to have a big re-think on the design of the arena and we will alter it all so there is heaps more viewing areas.

“Thanks to all the patrons for their patience, we know there were long queues.

“Everyone was really good, the police were happy.”

The rodeo action kicked off at 6pm with nine competitors for the Open Bullride, with local, Sam Woodall, topping the rankings to win ahead of Riley Eade.

The Open Saddle Bronc was won by Michael Keogh ahead of James Sclanders in second place and Jason Collins and Brad Meagher tied for third.

The Open Bareback went unclaimed with nobody able to last the eight seconds.

The Junior Bullride was won by Noah Dingle just ahead of Wyatt Mundy and Brad Freund in second and third places respectively.

The 2nd Div Saddle Bronc was won by Freund, with Corbin Mundy finishing second and Seamus Fitzpatrick in third.

The 2nd Div Bullride prize also went unclaimed, despite having 32 entrants in a strong sign for the event’s future in November.

The Open Barrel Race was also popular with 33 entrants registering.

Shannon Ellyce got through the course in 13.215 seconds to win ahead of Morgan McLean (13.265), while Julie Breed was third and Peta Fraser finished fourth.

The Junior Barrel Race honours went to Summer Mallia in a time of 13.942 seconds, with Grace Saunders second in 13.976 seconds, while Ebony Steele was third in 14.365 and Felicity McClure was fourth with 15.564 seconds.

Planning has already started for next year’s event, with Anderson hoping to keep the rodeo the same weekend in 2024 but may not host a race meet the same weekend, depending on Racing Victoria’s calendar.

The event went without any major incidents, with some people turned away at the gate later in the evening, due to capacity being reached.

With 79 senior entrants and 22 junior competitors, the numbers added to the success of the event.

The race meet review can be found on Page 22.