Jake of Emerald gives bull riding a try at the Cockatoo Rodeo.By Tania Martin
BULL riding was popular with hills people on Saturday night at the 22nd Annual Cockatoo Rodeo.
Despite a change in the traditional program this year, the rodeo was still popular with the crowd.
A strong crowd of more than 3,000 people turned out for the event again this year.
However, this year the program only included bull and steer riding competitions because of restrictions associated with the risk of the equine influenza, horses had been excluded from the event.
Organiser Sue Williams said despite the change in program, the Rodeo still proved to be a good night out.
Ms Williams said it also appeared to be a younger crowd that was attracted to the Rodeo this year.
She said there was only one injury on the night with a cowboy being knocked unconscious, but he soon recovered.
Ms Williams said there were also no serious injuries to animals except for a young bull that received a bloody nose after he rammed a fence.
She said it was still too early to tell how much was raised from the event.
Ms Williams said the horse events will return again next year once the threat of equine influenza has passed and promises to be bigger and better than ever before.
Results: Round 1: Open Bull Ride: Overall first: D. Kelly $1033. Round 2: Open Bull Ride: Overall first: M. Parsons $1239. Second Division: Bull Ride: D. Norman $604. Junior Bull Ride: B. Atkins. Local Steer Ride had no winners as no riders was able to stay on for 8 seconds. Ashleigh Mackay Memorial Trophy (encouragement award for an up and coming second division bull rider): Byron O’Keefe.
