SECOND TIME LUCKY AT

COOMA RURAL RODEO

The Cooma Rodeo committee was not deterred when their rodeo was washed

out; they took stock and re-grouped with another great performance two weeks

later on the 27th of February.

With great stock on hand from the Moruya Rodeo Company, Rick Wilson, Ray

Jeffery and Ben Makeham, competitors and spectators alike were given the most

for their money.

And as if to make sure the day was a success, the storm clouds that threatened

in the morning soon disappeared to produce a warm, sunny day. Perfect weather

for any rodeo!

Besides the normal rodeo entertainment, the Cooma Rural Rodeo ran one unique

event; the Invitational Charity Barrel Race. This event saw eight local identities

compete for the privilege of having $250 donated to the charity of their choice.

Unlike a normal barrel race, it was not the timers that decided the winner, but the

cheers of the enthusiastic crowd, so fancy dress and bribery were encouraged to

ensure contestants stood out in spectator’s minds.

The eventual winner was Johnny McMahon (aka Ethel) who donated his

winnings to the Monaro Early Intervention Service. It is worth noting that local

ABCRA member and campdrafter Danny Brabon made a special appearance as

a local female rodeo competitor. With a long plait and matching clothes, he was

actually mistaken for her whilst warming up!

The Open Bull Ride saw the contractors definitely take the day. There was not

a single qualified time with the Moruya stock proving too much to handle for the

cowboys.

The Ray Freebody Memorial Saddle Bronc Ride is a favorite with both

competitors and the crowd. Ray was a well known and loved local farrier who

loved his rodeo and especially watching his son, David, compete in the Bronc

Ride.

The Freebody Family again donated a beautiful buckle to the winner of the

Bronc Ride and this year it was Forbes Cowboy Shaun Read on Brown Bomber

with 76 points. On 75 points, second place went to David Freebody on Ride Tuff

Quick Draw.

Shaun was thrilled to finally win the Ray Freebody Memorial. He has been a

regular competitor at Cooma since he moved to the Southern Zone in 1999 and

2010 was the first time he has won the event.

Shaun said “I was really proud to win. Ray was a champion fellow who was

always full of cheek and good for a yarn. I was at Ray’s funeral when David said

he would try to get the Memorial Event running and it has been a goal of mine

ever since to win it”.

In the Bareback Brian Smith continued his winning streak with first place on

True Blue with 78 points, second place went to Robert Galton (who had chartered

a plane just to make it to Cooma) on Air Raid with 71.

In the ladies events Jo Farquhar stole

the day with wins and placings in every

event which saw her take away the All-

Round title.

The Steer Undecorating started Jo’s great

day with a second place on 2.07 seconds,

behind Tamworth’s Katrina Ramsay’s

blistering time of 1.91 seconds.

In the Breakaway Roping Katrina and

Jo switched places, with Jo in first place

on 2.65 seconds and Katrina in second

place on 2.85.

The Ladies Barrel Race Adele Edwards

and Rocky were the winners with a

Wayne Crisp Novice Bull

Melissa Madden Open Barrel Race

Geoff Pollock on Cloud Nine in Open Saddle

Matt Parker Steer Wrestling

40 The Australian Bushmen’s CAMPDRAFT & RODEO Magazine

Danny (Precious) Brabon (ABCRA Campdrafter) underwent an intensive beauty regime before the Invitational Barrel Race to look like a Barrel Queen

Presentations of Ray Freebody Memorial Saddle Bronc Ride. Right to

Left. Winner Shaun Read, Judy Freebody, 2nd Place Dave Freebody,

Equal 3rd Lindsay Pate, Geoff Pollock. Troy Read was absent.

picture perfect run in 16.16 seconds whilst Jo Farquhar secured her

All-Round win with a second place at 16.56.

Jason Riley sprang from nowhere to score a win in the Steer

Wrestling with a smooth 4.31 second run with Matt Hedlund close

behind him on 4.67.

The Team Roping gave Clay Bush of Yass his first win of the day

when he partnered with Phil Peters of Goulburn to record a 6.83

second run. In second place was the father and son team of Wayne

and Clinton Slater on 7.18. Making his first trip to the pay window

was the third place getter of Josh Bush, who, teamed with Darrell

Edwards and came in with a time of 8.85 seconds.

The Rope and Tie saw only four times recorded, with Clay Bush

in first place on 9.96 followed by Ben Makeham on 13.57.

The Novice Events were tough work for the competitors with only

one qualified time in the Novice Saddle Bronc and the Novice Bull

Ride. The winner of the Novice Saddle Bronc was Mick Spring with

a score of 56 whilst Mitchell Jarret was the winner of the Novice

Bull Ride with a score of 70 points.

The Junior Rough Stock competitors also had a rough day with

few scores recorded. Both the Poddy Ride and the 11 and Under 14

Junior Steer Riders failed to register a score. There were only two

scores in the 14 and under 18 Juvenile Steer Ride; Matthew Turner

won the day with a score of 70, followed by Joseph Manton on 66

points.

Layne Mancell took home all the prize money for the Junior

Breakaway Roping when he recorded the only time of 3.68

seconds.

 

The Junior Barrel Racers recorded some very fast times in their

events, with some great runs on display. In the 14 and Under

18 Juvenile Barrel Race, Jamie-Lee Plum with 15.90 seconds

scrapped home just in front of Stephanie Gard on 15.94. Brittany

Besant continued her success with a win in the 11 and Under 14

Junior Barrel race with a time of 16.98, followed by Sam Mack

with a 17.58. The Under 11 Junior Barrel Racers also had some

entertaining runs, with the winner being Kylie Coates on 19.11 and

second place going to Sarah Jane Plum on 20.84.

The Cooma Rodeo Committee would like to make a special thank

you to everyone who stepped in to help out after the Rodeo was

washed out. The help and understanding that was offered by people

was astounding.

As with all these events, the assistance of sponsors is invaluable.

Cooma Rodeo has been lucky enough to have some great sponsors

and four that rate special mention are Cooma Rural, Bush Basics,

The Monaro Post and Burchall’s Transport and Recycling. These

sponsors go far beyond what is asked of them each and every year.

Photography Jenny Solomon www.jensol.net

Editorial Michelle O’Neill

April 2010 - The Australian Bushmen’s CAMPDRAFT & RODEO Magazine 41