Dungog Rodeo getting ready to rumble

Organisers are gearing up for another huge crowd, following their record-breaking show last year.

"We had nearly 6200. We thought we would get the usual couple of thousand," rodeo spokesman Tom Boorer said.

"I think it's a record. Other than the Mumford and Sons years ago, I think it's the best crowd Dungog Showground has ever had and this year there might even be more.

"I've heard people ask if we need any more than last year and that's a legitimate question."

The committee has hired more food vendors in a bid to have enough for everyone. Last year there was so much demand that the vendors ran out of food.

Mr Boorer attributes the recent success of the Dungog Rodeo to two key things, performance and promotion.

"I think we do a pretty good rodeo. There are some that do it better than we do but I don't think there's very many of them," he said.

"I always say there's two things you need to run anything. One is performance and the other one is promotion. If you have one without the other it won't work.

"If you get the two of them to click then it will go well and I think Dungog Rodeo manages to do that."

One of the new additions to the 2024 Dungog Rodeo is the Dungog Pony Club stepping up to hold activities between the afternoon and the evening show.

Mr Boorer said that this is something that the committee has been trying to start for years.

"It's something that we've been trying to organise for years and years. They came along prepared to do it so that was really good," he said.

"At the rodeo there's always a break, sometimes it might only be a few minutes but sometimes it could take a bit longer. We're going to have a rider canter around the arena with some of the flags of the sponsors."

One of the events that Mr Boorer had tried to get off the ground for the 2024 Rodeo was the women's bronc ride, however this has been unsuccessful.

One of the biggest riders who will be competing at the Dungog Rodeo is Dungog's own Tom Hudson, who is currently ranked 14th in Australia.

"Riding at your home shows are different," Mr Hudson said.

"Everyone you know, your whole family, people you see day in day out around town, they're all there.

"I've always had some pretty good success there and done well and then I've had some bad ones too but I won it last year.

"Winning that, it sends chills down your spine."

The Dungog Rodeo will be held on Saturday, March 30 at Dungog Showground.