Mt Garnet Rodeo 2022
My customer Zac riding a very big bull.
This year I decided to not photograph/video the FNQ Rugby Union season to free up some time to do other things. Last weekend I went to the Mt Garnet Rodeo for the first time to watch a customer bull ride.
Zac coming off a very big bull.
These guys are fearless! When I was in my late teens and early twenties living in Townsville I would often attend rodeos as many of my friends were in the cowboy scene. Pretty sure Home Hill was a huge one. I have fond memories of that time as well as memories of very big hangovers.
A gentler dismount.
Some of the dismounts were taken from a much lower height. Not sure if they are any less scarier than Zac`s.
A scarier way to get off a bull.
Then there were dismounts that made your heart pop into your mouth. He walked away from this fortunately, as did all of them whilst I was there.
No clowning around here.
The guys inside the arena are there to assist anyone who gets hung up on a bull and to also distract the bull if the cowboy goes to ground and the bull looks like he will attack him. Back in those Townsville days I am pretty sure they referred to them as clowns and at times actually wore clown costumes. I am sure there is another term, let me know if there is.
A parting gift from the bull of saliva and you know what.
While I was watching the bulls well and truly won the day giving the cowboys bruises and sometimes other gifts.
A successful Saddle Bronc ride.
I stayed for a bit of saddle bronc riding. The first thing I noticed was how small the horses were compared to the bulls.
High flying action.
Generally theses riders were closer to success than the bull riders I watched before them. That said…….
Coming in for landing.
…a fair few did hit the ground quite hard from great heights. I think this fall would have killed me.
The event is very well run by what I assume is a large group of volunteers.
Horse trying to deposit a cowboy in the crowd.
By the time it got to midday the crowd was pretty much at capacity, my customer had ridden and many photos taken. I had been up since 4:30 am to drive out to Mt Garnet from Cairns so quite tired I decided to leave and make an early start back home.
On the way I intended to explore the bush nearby which I have been doing for many years now. Mt Garnet Rodeo I highly recommend as I do the area in general.