Three south-west bull riders will compete in the feature event at the Warrnambool Rodeo on Saturday night.
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Warrnambool's Kaleb Comollatti, Nirranda's Anthony Ryan, and Heywood's Sam Woodall are among the 11 riders in the Sam Daly Memorial open bull ride at Warrnamboool Showgrounds.
Comollatti, one of the nation's best cowboys, is itching to get in the arena.
It's been 18 months since his most recent competition at Colac.
Woodall just claimed an Australian Professional Bull Riders finals win in Townsville.
Comollatti, who has been the big driver behind the event, said there were Australian champions such as Will Purcell competing as well.
"I'm excited, a lot of hard work has gone into it," he said.
There's about 4000 people expected for the city's first rodeo in 25 years.
The arena will be in the centre of Wannon Park greyhound track. Most patrons will bring their own chairs and there'll be some tiered seating as well as hay bales. A hill flanks the track.
Comollatti came up with the idea to have a rodeo and was thrilled when Jenni Strain - secretary of Warrnambool Showgrounds Reserve - threw her support behind the project.
"Without Kaleb, the rodeo wouldn't be going ahead because I don't have the contacts he has or the knowledge of all the behind-the-scenes stuff that goes on," Strain said.
She also praised the hard work of her committee and described the community support as "inspirational".
"After the last two years of COVID, and how hard it has been on a lot of businesses - they're still so willing to come on board and sponsor, donate or get behind us in any way they can. I can't thank them enough," she said.
Strain highlighted the efforts of the Warrnambool City Council team involved in the project.
"They've been so helpful and without their support this wouldn't have come together," she said.
There are 89 competitors across eight events.
There's the second division bull ride and saddle bronc, open bull ride, ladies barrel race, junior barrel race, bareback, junior bull ride and open saddle bronc.
Strain said the group wanted to make the rodeo an annual event and said the next one was booked for January 15, 2023.
Comollatti thanked Woodall Rodeo Promotions and the sponsors.
Gates open at 3pm with the action from 5pm.
There will be numerous COVIDSafe measures in place including check-in on arrival and the need to be double vaccinated.