Amanda Oversby
The Midwest town of Mullewa swelled in size as it welcomed over three thousand riders and revellers on the WA Day long weekend for its Mullewa Muster and Rodeo. The committee had over $35,000 in prize money and custom-made buckles on offer; attracting cowgirls and cowboys from around Australia hoping to gain points towards the Australian titles.
The ever-consistent Maddie Edwards from Gingin was crowned the Mullewa Muster All-round Champion Cowgirl for 2018. Showing how she became the current Australian record holder for the Steer Undecorating, she repeated this display, plucking the ribbon off the back of a steer in 1.85 seconds to take out first place. Her trusty bay gelding Coldplay again placed her in the Ladies’ Barrel Race, behind Muchea Champion Stacey McCarthy, and Moora wonder woman Wendy Harris.
The All-round Cowboy Title was taken out by Kai Clark from NSW, and the Junior All-round title was taken out by NSW superstar Levi Ward.
The contest was extremely tight in the Open Bareback, with equal first place taken out by the 2017 Australian All-round Champion Cowboy Gerard Oversby (formally from Bindoon) and Richard Price from Waroona. The Saddle Bronc was a spectacle, with the current Australian leader Ben Maytom drawing three times WA champion Bucking Horse Redlands Rebel. Ben scored 75 to take out the prestigious event.
The Steer Wrestling was hotly contested by the big men, with WA Champion Paul Casey hitting the ground swiftly with the steer in 4.78 seconds to claim the Gold Buckle.
The team roping was taken out by NSW/WA team of Kai Clark and Maverick Deburgh in 6.19 seconds, and the ever-consistent Mogumber locals Grant Edwards and Rainer Duxworth took out second place.
Accomplished farrier Mark Maxwell tied the calf in the roping contest in 11.87 seconds to win this skilful event. Bullbrook’s local lawyer Elise Croft and her trusty palomino mount Chase set a blistering time in the Ladies Breakaway, taking out first place ahead of NSW ladies Jade Tribe and Anna Crisp, who also borrowed Elise’s gelding.
The Cowgirls and Cowboys will saddle up again on 13 October for the Bindoon Show Rodeo. This year the Bindoon Agricultural Society is hosting its first full-points Rodeo, which will showcase all the rodeo events. After the event the party will be kicking on, with entertainment from the Midnight Jokers till late and camping sites are available to rest weary heads.
The Bindoon Show rodeo is the closest event held to Perth and this year will be taking a huge step with online ticket purchasing. Kids can go the Bindoon Rodeo and Bindoon Show for FREE when family tickets are purchased through Eventbrite before September. For more information about this family-friendly event check out the Bindoon Show Facebook page or their website www.bindoonshow.com
