Dear animal lovers,

I am asking animal lovers everywhere to please spare ten minutes to send an email or write to Mayor Ron Clarke MBE to urge him to please discontinue this event in 2012 on the grounds of cruelty to horses.

Please find attached some of the photos I took at this event on 26 Jan ’11.  I did report this to the RSPCA, but by the time they investigated one month later, the horses had been returned to stock contractors.  The outcome of the investigation, if any, is confidential.

There was no equine vet in attendance.  The rodeo organisers only had the phone number of an on-call vet who was apparently never called to attend and rule these horses unfit for the afternoon session. The Gold Coast Animal Welfare League does not endorse this rodeo or any rodeo whatsoever, as Council is claiming.

I understand that modern horse training methods no longer rely on brute force, but rather on winning the horse’s trust.  As you know, the RSPCA is oppposed to the use of spurs and flank ropes, which were both used by Bostock Promotions at this event.  This event has been staged annually since 1981, and Council claims it is humane and no animal has ever been injured.   I am no horse expert, so I hope you will please lend your expert opinion.

Email:  mayor@goldcoast.qld.gov.au
Write:  PO Box 5042, GCMC QLD  9729

Thanking you for your time.
Yours sincerely

Sally Lawrence
Currumbin