More than 20 horses and bulls took part in a weekend rodeo that thrilled spectators at Bellevue Park in Port Vila.

Rodeo is a sport that brings together horses, bulls, and riders in one arena for a lively display of skill and courage.

The Port Vila Rodeo, held yesterday, drew a large crowd , from children to adults , who gathered to watch the action-packed performances of riders and animals in the arena.

The event featured over 20 horses and 12 bulls, with riders from across Vanuatu and a few from overseas taking part.

It wasn’t just the senior competitors in the spotlight , junior riders also had their chance to compete, alongside a demonstration team preparing to represent Vanuatu in a rodeo competition in New Caledonia later this month.

VBTC Sports spoke with one of the top performers, Kamie Jacob, who claimed several prizes across different race categories.

“I work at the plantation at Banana Bay and have attended a lot of rodeos since I was young, in Santo and now in Port Vila. I’m really glad to be part of this year’s event,” Jacob said.

Jacob, who spends much of his time with horses and bulls through his plantation work, has been a regular face in rodeos held in Vila and Santo.

VBTC Sports also spoke with Nina Monvoisin, one of the female riders who took part in the demonstration. She will soon compete alongside the Australian team in New Caledonia.

“It’s a good experience,” she said. “We show our passion and the training we’ve done with our coach — she’s a very good coach who will take us to New Caledonia.”

The rodeo included a range of race categories, including events for junior riders, and took place under fine weather conditions that helped draw an enthusiastic crowd.

The two-day show wrapped up with prize giveaways for top competitors on Saturday and Sunday — closing a weekend filled with excitement, laughter, and community spirit.