Action Packed Rodeo Fun at Cooma!

Layne Mancell competing in the Junior Breakway Roping

Brad Pierce riding Foo Fighter in the Open Saddle Bronc

Leah Purnell competing in the Junior Barrel Race

 

This year’s Cooma Rodeo, held on Saturday 11 February, was again a popular attraction in the Snowy Mountains town.  Affiliated with the ABCRA, there were action packed events starting at Midday and going well into the night.  Cooma is a full rodeo with events from Barrel Racing through to the final event of the night - the Open Bull Ride.  

Competitors travelled from as far afield as Cobar and with the devastating floods in the northern part of NSW there were some competitors unable to travel to compete.  It was hard to imagine that Cooma received less than two inches of rain in the lead up to the rodeo.

The Committee advertised the rodeo as the Cowboys Vs the Locals – and the local crowd turned out to cheer their own on.  Cooma also encourage Juniors to take up the sport of rodeo and have several events catering for the younger cowboy/cowgirl such as a Poddy Ride, Junior Breakaway, Junior Barrel Race as well as some rough stock events for the Under 18’s.

During the tea break there was a special event for charity – Cooma Truckies Vs Cooma Farmers in a steer ride.  The crowd was the judge and the aim was to get the loudest cheer from the crowd to decide the winning team and they chose which charity to donate the prizemoney too.  Most of the contestants had never ridden a steer and it made for some entertaining action.

Also unique to Cooma Rodeo is the Ray Freebody Memorial Saddle Bronc ride.  The winner of this event receives a trophy belt buckle donated by the local Freebody family.  Cowboys travel from far afield for the chance to win this event and this year Shaun Read took home the buckle for the second year since it’s inception.  Rain fell for a small part of the final events, however it didn’t dampen the crowd’s enthusiasm and many stayed, sheltering in the grandstand till the last cowboy rode!

Story & Photos: Jenny Solomon

Quick Links

• Visit Jenny Solomon's website to view more photos www.jensol.net
• Visit the Cooma Rodeo website
• View horses, suitable for rodeo timed events, for sale on Horsezone