Organisers were happy to hear the event hadn’t been cancelled and had instead been moved to March 17.

Promoter John Gill joked that farmers had asked him next time the region was in drought that he establish a rodeo.

Gill resurrected the Wagga rodeo last year and heavy rain caused the event to be postponed on two separate occasions.

The Australian Professional Rodeo Association (APRA) agreed to the proposed change yesterday.

Gill said a number of factors had resulted in the decision to postpone the rodeo.

“Animal welfare, the health of all the bucking stock, comes before the cowboys or any committee,” he said.

“There’s still a lot of water laying around the arena and it would have been too dangerous to continue.”

Gill said it was important the decision was made early due to cowboys travelling to Wagga from around Australia.

“It is sad because we were expecting a big crowd and we’ve added two more events to the schedule,” he said.

“We’ve got one guy coming from Darwin, mobile toilets and catering as well ... when you can see the writing on the wall, it’s better to get in early.

“Wagga City Council and APRA have got behind us and we’re pleased that the event could go ahead.”

Despite the repeated delays last year, more than 4000 people turned out to support the return of the Wagga rodeo.

The irony of heavy rain on both occasions since the return of the rodeo was not lost on Gill yesterday.

“I reckon the farmers should start paying me for organising the rodeo,” he said.

“We’ve locked in the date with council and hopefully the rain goes away in the next two weeks.”

Tickets are still available from the Wagga Visitor Information Centre on Tarcutta Street.

Pre-purchased tickets will cost adults $18 and children and pensioners $8.

Tickets at the gate will cost $20 for adults and $10 for children and pensioners.

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