THE countdown clock is well and truly ticking on this week’s Jupiters National Finals Rodeo at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Tuesday saw over half of the 800 tonnes of dirt needed for the rodeo ring delivered while the cowboys who arrived in town early showed a few competitors in the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships a thing or two about staying on a bull.
As a major rodeo promotion for the April 7th-10th event, a free-to-ride mechanical bull has been installed in the Broadbeach Mall until the end of the week.
It proved an instant hit with surf life savers and members of the general public wanting their own eight seconds of rodeo fame.
And they were probably thankful of a much softer landing than they might expect from flesh and blood livestock such as Hard Yards and Destination Unknown, respectively the 2009 and 2010 Bucking Bulls of the Year who will star at the Convention Centre throughout the week.
Here are some other numbers that help demonstrate the size of the National Finals Rodeo.
5 – The number of times the Gold Coast has hosted the National Finals Rodeo.;
6 – The cowboys and cowgirls will compete in six events - Bareback Bronc Riding, Steer Wrestling, Barrel Racing, Saddle Bronc Riding, Team Roping and Bull Riding;
8 – The seconds a rider must stay on the bull or bucking horse to qualify;
10 – The seconds it takes for the professionals in the Team Roping event to chase and rope a steer;
19 – Adult tickets start at just $19.00, children are $12.00 and families are $50.00;
102.9 – Hot Tomato is the official radio sponsor of the event;
120 - The number of rodeo stars competing for Australian championship points in the 2011 rodeo;
200 – The average kilograms a steer weighs in the Steer Wrestling competition;
6,000 – The number of spectators the Gold Coast Convention Centre Main Arena can seat;
132 849 – The number for Ticketek to call and book tickets.
Adult tickets start at $19 children’s tickets at $12 and family tickets start at only $50.
There are also three, four and five session passes and tickets are available now at www.nfrgoldcoast.com.au, www.ticketek.com or at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre ticket office.
Rodeo supporters include Jupiters, the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, Jack Daniels, RACV Royal Pines Resort, Sunshine Ford, Australian Outback Spectacular, Variety Queensland, Tyrells Wines and Fourex Gold, Coast Tourism, Gold Coast City Council, 102.9 Hot Tomato, Gold Coast Bulletin, Broadbeach Alliance & Tourism Queensland.
Broadbeach Media