Class riders snare their share of prizes at Onslow Rodeo

Bulls charged, horses bucked and lassos were loosed at the 14th annual Onslow Rodeo on Saturday, which attracted more than 120 riders from across the country.

The total prize pool reached more than $20,000, with $2500 on offer for major events and $1250 for minor events.

The charity bull ride event attracted six gun riders, raising funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service and five other local organisations.

It was a good day for Kyle Adams, who won the Beadon Bay open bull ride and station buck jump.

Australian champion Wade McCarthy won the bareback and rope and tie events.

For the second year running, Grant Edwards and Zach Kealy took out the team roping event.

Last year's overall best cowgirl Bronwyn Hill and cowboy McCarthy both retained their titles after impressive performances in the rodeo ring.

The juniors also had a great day on the horses, with Makayla Mongoo winning the under-18 juvenile barrel race and Tyrell Metcalfe named winner of the under-14 junior steer ride.

At the prize-giving ceremony, all winners were presented with the much coveted belt buckles.

The only thing more frightening than the bucking bulls was the lolly scramble, in which dozens of children chased a rodeo clown for their precious share of the lolly bag.

The mechanical bull ride competition also kept the crowd entertained, with many revellers stepping up to have a crack for the $1500 prize money.

A big day of riding was capped off with performances by bush poet Corin Linch, DJ Rev and country music veterans Corey Livey, Anthony Taylor and the Gough Brothers.

Onslow Rodeo president Shane Stratford thanked volunteers and sponsors for making the event a success since it was established in 2001.

"The event started off a bit rough when we had no power or toilets working, but in the end it was a great day with around 1000 people attending," he said.

"It's great to see the vollies keep coming and helping out, the rodeo is getting bigger and better every year.

"We attract some of the best riders in the country, so we must be putting on a good show if they keep coming back."

Minister for Tourism Kim Hames said the Onslow Rodeo was a major event on the Australian Bushmen's Campdraft and Rodeo Association's calendar.

"Supporting events such as Onslow Rodeo will help us increase regional tourism," he said.

"Regional events generate valuable promotion for regional WA, provide a boost to the economy and add vibrancy to the towns, making them exciting places to visit and great places to live."

The next big event on the Pilbara rodeo circuit will be in Pannawonica from September 3 to 5.

Onslow Rodeo Winners 2015 *

Beadon Bay Open Bull ride: Kyle Adams

Station Buck Jump: Kyle Adams

Steer Wrestling: Paul Casey

Saddlebronc: Brock Harris

Bareback: Wade McCarthy

Rope and Tie: Wade McCarthy.

Ladies' Barrell Race: Wendy Harris

Local Bull Ride: Ashley Price

Ladies Breakaway Roping: Bronwyn Hill

Team Roping: Grant Edwards and Zach Kealy

Steer Undecorating: Alicia Finnigan

Under-14 Junior Steer Rride: Tyrell Metcalfe

Under-18 Juvenile Steer Ride: Josh Fogherty

Junior Barrel Race: Makayla Mongoo