Broome’s Rhythm and Ride Rodeo postponed for a year after sponsor withdraws funding

Broome’s Rhythm and Ride Rodeo has been bucked off the event calendar after an unexpected last-minute withdrawal of funding left organisers in limbo and the event in the dirt. Saltwater Country’s Rhythm and Ride Rodeo, which was set to go ahead in September this year, had 33 per cent of its funding pulled by its major sponsor just one month out from organisers going into pre-production for the event. A move which Saltwater Country chair Cara Peek said has forced the organisers to postpone the event until next year. “The stretch to push harder and further for the very funding we rely on, only a few short months out from the event, is just not possible to execute under the timelines at hand,” she said. “What has been illuminated to our team is the reality that even hyper-unique First Nation events that have continued to perform and generate positive economic and community impact across the global pandemic timeline, are simply not guaranteed a major sponsor or reliable funding source, year on year. “With that in mind, we ask that you ride with us through this small pivot to the program, and most importantly, get ready for our big 2023 return with some truly exciting updates that we know will be worth this short wait. . . we very much look forward to returning together, bigger and better in 2023.” This is the first time the Rhythm and Ride event has had to be postponed since its inception in 2016.