Latest update May 22nd, 2026 12:38 AM
Rising Sun Rodeo preparations moving apace
Samuel Whyte
Preparations have picked up and are moving apace as more sponsors have come on board for the grand annual one day Rodeo organized by the Rising Sun Rodeo Committee at the famous Rising Sun Turf Club, Arima Park, West Coast Berbice, set for Sunday October 31.
With Pacesetters Banks DIH Limited leading the way along with Telephone Giants Digicel, Hablaw’s Meat Centre and Chester Fry Chicken of Bush Lot West Coast Berbice being the early indicators, sponsorship has since been guaranteed from Neal and Massy Guyana Limited and subsidiary Geddes Grant.
Joining the fray also is a number of Cattle ranches across the country. Among them are the Abary cattle ranch, Mohammed Sheriff cattle ranch of Abary Creek and Sunil Suruj (son), cattle dealer and Rancher of the Corentyne.
The organizers are leaving no stones unturned to make the event an enjoyable and successful one. As such the area where the rodeo is usually held away from the main race track is at the moment undergoing a total rehabilitation, which is in addition to the new stand which was recently constructed, for the comfort of those who are expected to throng the area.
The Rising Sun Rodeo which has now become a part of the club’s annual calendar of events was restarted about four years ago after a lapse of about 20 years and is held annually in the month of October.
The days programme begins at 11:00 hrs and will feature activities in some 10 different categories including steer roping, bareback bronco riding, which will also see the females getting into action. There are also male and female barrel race, wild cow milking, calf roping, wild bull riding, saddle bronco and the popular Tug o War events. The various winners and other outstanding performers will be presented with monetary incentive, trophies and other attractive prizes.
Vaqueros (cow boys) would usually come from overseas to test their skills and compete against their Guyanese counterparts for the hefty takings on offer and according to organizers Inshanally and Fazal Habibulla this year will be no different; the only difference is that they will be getting more cowboys from overseas. Vaqueros from Brazil, Suriname and Venezuela will be in Guyana to strut their stuff and along with those from the far flung areas of Guyana including Lethem the Rupununi Savannahs and the Corentyne River areas are set to invade the venue.
However a strong local contingent known as the West Berbice posse lead by Fazal Habibulla made up of horsemen and cowboys from Berbice, Abary, Mahaica and Mahaicony River ranches will be in attendance to defend their turf. According to the younger Habibulla his men have been in training since last year and will be going all out to defend their territory.
Another feature attraction on the day will be the crowning of the Rodeo King and Queen. There are still vacancies for those wishing to compete in the Rodeo Queen Competition and the organizers are especially interested in females from the coast to enter to contest against the beauties from overseas and the hinterland, with special awards including cash being available for the respective winners and other top performers.
Interested persons are asked to get in touch with the organizers as soon as possible on the numbers listed below.
With the Rising Sun Rodeo now becoming an annual feature on the coast, patrons will not have to make the long journey to the interior to see what a rodeo is like and participate in the fun fill and thrilling events. According to Habibulla not everyone is able to make it to the interior to attend a Rodeo event, so thy have brought the activity ‘right to your door’.
However, the veteran Rancher, cattleman and horserace magnate said that the ‘the cost of bringing the vaqueros from overseas and the hinterland to the coast is high, thus the need for sponsorship’. ‘When you are organizing something you have to have the best on show and we are doing everything possible to bring the best to you’, he said.
In addition over $1M in cash, trophies and other incentives will be up for grabs in the one-day event.
Persons interest in participating in the days events are asked to get in touch with Inshanally Habibulla on tel No 623-4495, and 623-5453, Fazal Habibulla at Chester Fry Bush Lot West Coast Berbice on Telephone No 232-0232 or 6577010,648-6522 or Donald or Zaleena Lawrie on telephone no 225-4530, 225-4565.
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