Toby Deudney in action riding a feisty bronc.
On Saturday, 29 November, from 11 am, The Gundagai Rodeo and Campdraft Club will host the final event on the ABCRA calendar, the Gundagai Rodeo, where the nation’s top cowboys and cowgirls will compete for the last national championship points, to help their mission to win the national title before the National Finals in Tamworth in January.
This year’s event will also feature some international competitors who are also locals.
“This year, we will have a couple of local boys here to support our local rodeo who have been over in the States and Canada in the college system, which will be very cool. Two are from Tumut and two from Brungle,” said Dan Lindley, President of the Gundagai Campdraft and Rodeo Club.
“Mitchell and Tom French from Brungle will be in attendance on Saturday. Mitchell has been over in America at West Texas College for the last two years, competing in the bronc riding in college rodeos and then also the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). He has been going really well, so he will be matched up on one of Gary McPhee’s horses and will be competing in the open saddle bronc.”
“Thomas French has been over in Canada for the last six months living with Zeke Thurston, who is a multiple world champion bronc rider in America and Canada, and Tom is also competing in the novice and open saddle bronc,” said Dan.
“Then we have Toby and Jake Deudney. Toby has been over in the States for two years at Odessa College in Texas and is competing in the bareback event here. Toby has competed in 80 rodeos over the course of this year, in the college rodeos and the PRCA as well, which is really exciting. He is a top-level cowboy, and so it is really exciting to have him riding on Saturday night.
“Jake Deudney has been over there for the last year, also at Odessa College, competing in the college system as well. Jake will be competing in the steer wrestling, and has also been competing very successfully in Canada during the college break,” said Dan.
“There will also be three young boys from Western Australia competing on the day. Koby McCarthy and Hunter Ross, who are sitting at first and second in the 11–14 year-old steer riding in the national final, and Kobe Hodgson, who is sitting second in the 14-18 steer ride national title standings.
“It is really exciting to have these boys here as well. Koby McCarthy will also be competing in the invitational mini bull ride on Saturday night, which will be exciting. We’ve got six bulls matched up with six young cowboys and cowgirls,” said Dan.
The rodeo action kicks off from 11 am through until 8.30 pm at the Gundagai Showgrounds, with the main event from 3.30 pm. There will be a bar, kiosk and canteen facilities, trade stalls, as well as live music and entertainment. The program will include all the typical rodeo events, such as barrel races, steer wrestling, bronc riding, bareback, as well as an invitational mini bull ride.
– Emily Flint
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