WAGGA cowgirl Tania Schiller and Tumbarumba bull rider Ben Hall will headline the inaugural Coolamon rodeo on Saturday.
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Schiller is the best performed rider in the starting list for the rodeo, which will be the first staged at Coolamon Showground.
A two-time winner of the Australian Professional Rodeo Association all-round national cowgirl title, Schiller also won six barrel racing titles in the 1990s and is an accomplished breakaway roper.
The appearance of Schiller has given the Coolamon rodeo a dose of star quality, while Hall is likely to dominate the bull riding events.
Hall and well-credentialed rider Tyler Prendergast are regarded as the men to beat in their respective events.
Coolamon rodeo co-organiser Megan Menzies yesterday confirmed 27 bull riders would be competing, with jockey Jason Collins among the field.
Menzies said riders were converging "from all over" for the historic opening rodeo at Coolamon.
"There'll be pretty good numbers," she said.
"They're all chasing prizemoney and chasing points."
Wantabadgery star Cody Angland had considered riding at Coolamon, but a clash with a major event in Adelaide has ruled him out.
Menzies said Saturday's groundbreaking rodeo was the culmination of 12 months planning by the Coolamon Showground Management Committee.
The committee, which involves members of the various "horse-industry" user groups at the facility, was formed to raise money for an urgent upgrade of the showground.
"The aim to make the showground a top-notch equine facility," she said.
With a raft of improvements on the schedule, Menzies said the "first priority" was to fence the 65-area site.
"We hope to raise enough to make the showground secure," she said.
"We'll also be looking to make improvements to the toilet facilities."
Renowned The Rock contractor John Gill will supply the stock for the rodeo, which is set to become an annual event.
"We're certainly keen to build on our first year," Menzies said.
Full canteen, barbecue and bar facilities will be available on the day.
"Can I just advise spectators to bring a chair," Menzies laughed.