MogumberOutback Club Inc
It’s normally a one-horse town but on the 31 December each year, Mogumber welcomes a couple of hundred horses and over 2500 rodeo enthusiasts. The 6th annual Gilmac Mogumber New Years Eve Rodeo hit another peak in 2018 with increased attendance and a record-breaking 306 competitor entries.
100% volunteer organised, it’s a big task for the Mogumber locals, following a busy harvest and festive season. While many are taking a break the Mogumber Outback Club Inc spend four days transforming Mogumber to cater for the massive swell in population.
Lighting towers, toilets and generators are brought in by sponsor Ramsay’s Horse Transport and unloaded by local sponsor Anspach Ag Contracting. Farmers provide hay bales for seating and other contributors transport it to the venue. The event would not be possible without local contributions and volunteer involvement. The event helps secure Mogumber’s long-term viability and puts the tiny town on the tourist map.
The crowd came to see talented competitors and what an experience they got this year. WA Junior Rodeo Association call Mogumber home for much of the year, so it’s a real treat to see the same faces perform in a fully equipped arena with a large crowd as they kicked off the competition. Levi Metcalf made his local family members proud, winning the 11-U14 Ajax Contracting Steer Ride. Courtney Reinke won the 14-U18 Foodworks Moora Steer Ride, while no scores were recorded in Summit Fertilizers 8-U11 Steer Ride. The Anspach Ag Contracting Junior Breakaway was taken out by Rachel Oaks in a time of 2.98 seconds.
In the Western Hay-sponsorsed Barrel Race events, Hunta Gallacher won the 14-U18 Juvenile Barrels in a time of 16.89 seconds and Brianna Maxwell performed a time of 17.75 seconds in the 11-U14 Barrel. Bindoon’s up-and-coming star Lucy Oversby beat Moora local Armani Wilkie in the U11 Barrel Race.
A record 64 novice barrel entries competed at Mogumber. Amber Bowtell rode her horse Jack to a time of 17.30 seconds. The Open Ladies Barrel Race is where the top end competitors perform. Stacey McCarthy won the event riding Marvin in 16.356 seconds, just ahead of Rebekah Robbins.
Northern Valleys News proudly sponsor the Ladies Breakaway Roping event, where Courtney Reinke took out her second win of the evening. The Primaries Moora Steer Undecorating event was won by Xanthe Langridge Pederson in a time of 2.08, riding Foxton Temptation.
McIntosh and Sons Novice Bull Ride was another popular category, a win taken by Joel Ruff’s score of 69 points. Kim Dawson won the Moora Toyota Steer Wrestling in 4.94 seconds, just ahead of Jack Coumbe in 5.05 seconds.
Partnerships were put to the test in the Team Roping event, sponsored by Halligan Rural Supplies. Don Rogers scored at time of 10.86 seconds with his heeler Wayne Taylor. Mark Maxwell was way out in front with a time of 17.22 seconds in the PTE Panel and Paint Rope and Tie. The bucking horses put on a show in the Fuel Distributors Saddlebronc where an equal tie between Rhys Morrissey and Jack Collins was recorded. The big prize money was taken by Wade McCarthy, scoring 72 points in the Dailmer Trucks Bareback event. Wade also won the Borrello Beef Open Bull Ride.
The final ride of the evening was a heart stopper. A re-ride in the Borrello Beef Open Bull Ride saw local Kayne Drew hop onto another bull. At dismount, the bull’s charge had Kayne running for the safety of the panels. Jimmy C the Rodeo Clown stepped into his bull fighter protection role, putting his body on the line to protect his long-time friend. The gasps and screams from the crowd were intense. Jimmy C bounced back up and was checked over by the medical staff, including the local Victoria Plains St Johns Ambulance team. A quick trip to hospital revealed a dislocated collar bone and shoulder.
The Midnight Jokers entertained patrons into the new year, as did the licenced bar provided by Mogumber Tavern, which was filled to capacity.
Mogumber Outback Club Volunteers were very pleased with the event. After 3 days of cleaning up and a community debrief, the Club is already planning to make the 2019 Mogumber NYE Rodeo even better. Big thanks to all the volunteers and sponsors, especially gold sponsor Gilmac who help the community put on a safe and enjoyable event.
