Echuca and Kyabram, at this stage, are both forging ahead with plans to run their own rodeo events in February and March.
The Echuca event will be held on Friday, February 25, at Rotary Park in Rose St, Echuca, while the Kyabram event will continue to take its place on the Friday evening of the long weekend in March, this year March 11.
ABCRA executive officer Craig Young said the decision was made following a board meeting this week.
“Unfortunately, the growing number of COVID-19 cases impacting on many services and events state-wide has also impacted the ABCRA and while this was an extremely tough and difficult decision for the board to make, we must prioritise the health and safety of our team, competitors, sponsors and spectators,” Young said.
He said that along with the continued risks of COVID-19, the postponement of other major events also had a significant impact on ticket sales.
“We want to run events and we want to have our athletes competing, but given the significant health and financial risk to the association, the board simply had no other option but to cancel this particular event,” Young said.
The ABCRA will continue to work toward its events scheduled for the coming months and having its athletes back competing in 2022.
Competitor entry fees and tickets will be refunded.
“The board would like to thank everyone who supported this event with entries, our sponsors and the volunteers who had committed to the event,” Young said.
Following this announcement, the ABCRA will assess its eligibility to access the event saver funding from the NSW Government.