Jindabyne Rodeo Attracts Record Crowd For Annual Event

RODEO is alive and well in Jindabyne, and the holiday crowd arrived in masses for the annual Jindabyne Man from Snowy River Rodeo at John Connors Oval.

Held each year on December 28, over 2500 people attended, where they were treated to fine weather, action aplenty and high-calibre riding from the cowboys and cowgirls.

Jindabyne Rodeo spokesman Allan Rowson said the event was a great success and one of the biggest in recent memory for the rodeo.

"It was our biggest rough stock event ever, with the amount of bulls we had," said Rowson.

Rowson said they created the junior bull event this year for 14-U18, replacing the same-age-group steer riding event from previous years.

"The junior bulls were very handy bulls, very impressed with them."

"Hats off to the committee, it was a seamless day, one of the easiest days we've had.".

Action started at 12 noon and did not let up until 5.30pm when the final Open Bull Shootout concluded. The protection athletes, Zac Maher and Nick Allen were also in the thick of the action, keeping riders safe and then persuading stubborn bulls to retreat to the pen after their rides.

Find below a list of interim results and photos of the place getters for all events. Note that these results were sourced from the announcements on the day and are not official final results. Where possible, we have all riders' names correct; please advise if any corrections are needed. Tap on photos in gallery to enlarge.

Junior Steer Ride 8-U11

Eight riders would strap in for the junior steer ride in what was a highly entertaining start to the day’s proceedings. With the protection athletes following closely, in case they needed to catch any young cowboys, there were thrills and spills with three riders scoring points out of the eight juniors.

Results

Benjamin Purdon 76 points

Clayton Hines 75 points

Levi Craig 50 Points

Junior Bull Ride 14-U18

In a sign that rodeo’s future is bright, 27 riders strapped in for a bruising contest, with a high standard of riding from the youngsters. It was close for some to ride the time, only getting bucked off at the last second, while others had an early dirt sandwich as they hit the ground.

Baily Dent, riding in the second round, hung on for a feisty ride on a great bucking bull, pipping Kody Hollis, who had set the best score from the first round of contestants. Darcy Wlton, competing in the third round, would score 68 points for third place. They were the only three riders to register scores, the steers definitely coming out on top and getting the better of the other 24 riders.

Results

Baily Dent 74 Points

Kody Hollis 73 Points

Darcy Wilton 68 points

 Junior Barrel

Only two starters competed in the 11-U14 junior barrel race, with Tiana Abbott riding Doncha scoring a 15.96. Chloe Riley on Captain Jack registered 19.32 after knocking a barrel, incurring a five-second time penalty in what otherwise was a nice riding display.

In the 8-U11 category, Indi Potter was the lone starter with a time of 16.01

Results

11-U14

Tiana Abbott 15.96

Chloe Rile 19.32

8-U11

Indi Potter 16.01

Juvenile Barrel 14-U18

Always a competitive event, the 14 other runners were shown no mercy as Stevee Besant from Cowra set the fastest time of 15.08 as the first entrant on course riding Harry High Pants. Her sister Lacey was second in 15.20 riding Rayban, and Charlee Warner was third with her striking white horse Little Blue.

Results

Stevee Besant 15.08

Lacey Besant 15.20

Amy Manwaring 15.46

Novice Bull Ride

The action picked up a notch when over thirty Novice Bull Riders attempted to tame their beasts for 8 seconds. Not an easy task at the best of times, and as usual, there were plenty of cowboys and cowgirls bucked off.

In the first round, Jesse Mead set the tone, scoring 78 points, and was never headed for the win. His bull took him for several 360 spins, and once ridden, the bull took offence and gave him a dusting up on the ground.  In the following two rounds, only two other riders would stay the distance. James Agius scored 63 points for second place on a bull that ran rather than bucked as much. William Mortimer placed third with 61 points and had his hands full as the bull tried in vain to dislodge Mortimer.

Results

Jesse Mead 78 points

James Agius 63 points

William Mortimer 61 points.

Novice Barrel

The Novice Barrel event is about showing your horse their new environment and setting a fast time. It was evident that some horses knew their way around the ring as much as the riders, showing great skill. Hayley Jeffree had the quickest time of 15.70 riding Scar. Kristina Esposito placed second with 15.82, and Brianna Birks placed third with 16.03.

Results

Hayley Jeffree 15.70

Kristina Esposito 15.82

Brianna Birks 16.03

 Junior Steer Ride 11-U14

The talent on show in this group was evident, as they held their composure and rode like true veterans. Some with a big future, no doubt. Declan Hoy claimed the honours with 74 points, followed by CJ Byrne with 72 points and Noah Dudas in third with 68 points.

Results

Declan Hoy 74 points

CJ Byrne 72 points

Noah Dudas 68 points

Novice Saddle Bronc

One of the great entertaining events at rodeo, the cowboys put on a great show trying to stay on board as the horse runs, weaves and does everything to dismount the rider. Chet Read showed class to win easily with 71 points, Harry Reddel in second with 62 points, and two riders, Charlie French and Will Schaefer in third position on 61 points.

Results

Chet Read 71 points

Harry Reddel 62 points

Charlie French 61 points

Will Schaefer 61 points

 Novice Bareback

They say you must be part mad to ride this event, and it’s certainly punishing on the body as riders must lean back as the horse serves up the bucking medicine. Jesse Ripper lived up to his name, having a ripper ride and winning with 68 points. Equal second were Eli Fuller and Henry Molloy with 62 points.

Results

Jesse Ripper 68 points

Eli Fuller 62 points

Henry Molloy 62 points

Ladies Barrel Race

One of the premier events on the rodeo circuit, where the ladies are highly competitive, and taking home the cash often comes down to hundredths of a second. Kellie Ross proved to be too fast in Jindabyne, winning with a time of 15.17. Michelle Potter placed second with 15.24, and Hannah Ross placed third with 15.42. The event started in bizarre fashion when the first rider, Michelle Teale, was thrown from her horse on the first barrel.

Results

Kellie Ross 15.17

Michelle Potter 15.24

Hannah Ross 15.42

 Open Saddle Bronc

 Bucking action does not get much better than the Open Saddle Bronc, where horses have a genuine dislike for riders. Edward Maxwell showed great poise and technique to tame his ride, TRC Opposite Attraction, to claim the winner’s cheque with 75 points. Daniel Trembath led the field in round one, with a stylish ride on TRC Secret Event, but his 71 points were only good for second position. Will Schaefer and Jack Pittman both had good rides, scoring 69 points each, Pittman’s on a re-ride.

Results

Edward Maxwell 75 points

Daniel Trembath 71 points

Will Schaefer 69 points

Jack Pittman 69 points

Open Bull Ride

The Bull Ride needs no introduction as one of the standout events. Big beasts who hate having cowboys on their back do their best to remove them as fast as possible. The cowboys are using all their skill to ride 8 seconds.

Tumut’s Dylan Weir started off scoring proceedings and showed his class, riding Eagle Ridge to score 79 points in the first round. He would be matched in round two by Jake Swan, also scoring 79 points, both sharing the spoils of the winners' circle.

Only four of the 14 starters completed the magical eight seconds, showing how tough it can be in this sport. Hugh Treanor had 77 points and Lachlan Burgess 71 points.

Results

Dylan Weir 79 points

Jake Swan 79 points

Hugh Treanor 77 points

Lachlan Burgess 71 points

 Open Bull Shootout

With more prize money on offer, four of the day’s best open bull riders competed in the Open Bull Shootout, with Jake Swan adding to his bank account with a high-scoring 86 points riding Razor Back. The other three shootout cowboys, Hugh Treanor, Daniel Patrick and Lachie Burgess all succumbed to their bull's determination to dismount them.

Swan capped off the day in fine style, throwing his cowboy hat into the air to celebrate.

 Snowy Mountains Magazine has multiple photos of every ride of the day. To enquire to purchase, please send an email to stevecuff19@gmail.com.

More photo galleries to come in the near future from the Jindabyne Rodeo.