Many of our talented local riders dominated the results board against some of Australia’s top cowboys and cowgirls at the Mullewa Muster and Rodeo held on 30 May. An estimated 3-4000 spectators flooded the tiny town of Mullewa east of Geraldton to watch the action.
Now running for the fourth year, local organising committee member, Jane Parker said the rodeo benefitted the whole town and the community. With profits raised going back into the event, this year the committee was able to finalise a permanent arena – improving riding conditions and becoming a community asset for years to come.
In the ring, Gingin local Wade McCarthy showed off the style which won him the title of National Bullriding Champion by taking out Champion Bullrider of the day. A full-time boilermaker, the 27 year old was nursing a few injuries after the weekend but has his sights set firmly on his next big competition in Rockhampton, Queensland.
The newly-married Wade, who is a fourth generation rodeo rider, says balance and mental focus are essential for success in dangerous pursuit of bullriding. In the Juniors, thirteen year old Hunta Gallacher, a Year 8 student at Bullsbrook College, well and truly kept up with the boys placing second in the Under 18 Junior Breakaway to seasoned competitor Dylan Ruff. She managed to just beat her older brother Trey, winner of the Under 18 Steer ride, into third place, with fourth going to Jack Collins in the close competition.
Hunta also placed second in the U14 Barrel race, riding a new horse she trained herself. The action was captured in this amazing photo above taken by Richard Hathaway. Jack Collins and Bindoon rider Maddison Hebbard were not far behind.
Dylan’s brother Joel continued the winning streak of the Bully riders by topping the U14 Steer ride. Looks like some of these young riders could make our region the rodeo center in years to come.
Local rough riders Laurance Oversby and Justin Edwards also both placed highly in the bullriding and steer wrestling. We’ll be looking forward to seeing them all compete again a bit closer to home at the Bindoon Show Rodeo in October.
