And they call the thang…
Anyone know the next line in that Garth Brooks song?
That’s right… RODEO!
The first half of our weekend past was spent attending a small rodeo in Caboolture – the crowd was small anyway, mostly made up of parents cheering on their sons and daughters, competing in the High School Rodeo Australia finals.
The competition however, was BIG. A bit of man versus beast (where the men – and women -were all under 21 years of age).
Sometimes the beast won.
Sometimes the man won.
And sometimes (in the eye of this little cowgirl anyway) …
The BLING won!
Our own Callum competed on saddle broncs and bulls …
This ride on a big twisty tan bull didn’t quite make the eight seconds he needed…
But I did like this shot while he was still on top!
This series takes you through his first bronc ride…
Getting safety gear on…
Tightening and checking gear (note brother Lachy helping out crush-side). Note also the young commentator – he did a great job!
Cal in the saddle and ready to go…
Riding a tricky, flat-out, twisting corner…
Then off (a fraction of a second short of the bell!).
And his second ride on day one, on a grey horse…
And riding time!
Yay! 
Violet and Dash checked out the action and were very proud of their honorary big brother. For his weekend’s work (this lot doesn’t even showi half of his rides) he’s won himself a great trip to compete in America… I know he’ll be poring over my pics, working out what he did and how to improve.
We loved (finally) watching him do what he loves doing. And we will be cheering from afar when he rides in The National High School Rodeo titles in Wyoming, USA.
I have to admit though, as I was sorting the images I took on Saturday, a little part of me loved the part where the bull get’s his own back…
Run Forrest, RUN!!!
Patriot
10 Comments
Fleur McDonald
Wonderful photos and commentary as always, BB!
Fleur McDonald´s last blog post ..An early morning visitor…
debby
Well done, Cal!
That boy is one long legged critter. His dismount from the brown horse, the one with his foot still in the stirrup, made me sick to see.
debby´s last blog post ..Snotty
debby
I came back to show Tim the pictures. What kind of bull is that black speckled one? I never saw such a thing. (Although I am not an expert…)
debby´s last blog post ..Snotty
BB of Oz
No idea Deb – will ask!
Leenie
Loving your rodeo photos. That is an event guaranteed to provide plenty of action for the camera. Liked the great lighting on some of those shots on your Facebook page. The National H.S. Rodeo Finals will be right in my back yard. If you take a side trip to Yellowstone Park and then cross the border into Idaho and you need a place to take a break let me know. I’d LOVE to provide a bed and breakfast.
Leenie´s last blog post ..WATCHING BIRDS AND OTHER THINGS
BB of Oz
Will let Cal know Leenie… maybe you could go cheer for him!! 🙂
Bill
That was a good day, cal. I would say the tan bull was a good draw. looks like he did his part and scored high (you guys do score the bull as well as rider – right?)
Next song out of the jukebox is “Amarillo by Morning”
BB of Oz
He didn’t ride time on that bull, Bill. Close but no cigar!! Think he still qualifies though as had done well earlier in season…
jeanie
Oh wow – he won? How fantastic!!!!
jeanie´s last blog post ..Saturday night – or the journey that led to the recipe that led to late night philosophizing…
Colin Huggins
I must have missed all these with the “busted PC business”.
I think from way back (1950s) the answer to Debby on the black speckled bull would have been a rogue, mickey bull of all breeds!! – (And to be avoided at all costs, that’s if you wanted to survive in the Mallee scrub). I can tell a long “horrible story” on this one from the 1950s.
Good luck to young Cal in Wyoming. I dread to think of the cost of medical insurance, if you can get it, for these activities. Please keep your viewers posted on Cal in Wyoming. Insurance for medical problems in the USA, before he leaves is a MUST – hope he can get it and he better tell them what and why he is going to the USA for, or else.
I hope Dash and Violet just stick to pony club activities and camp-drafting.
Excellent photos of the rodeo.
Now back to more practice with this new fangled PC.
Cheers
Colin