Entertainment
1 August, 2024
Take a ride on the wild side
Organisers are expecting a bumper turnout for the annual Mt Carbine Bull and Bronc Ride, as preparations get under way for the August 10 event.
“It’s certainly grown since the first one back in 2001,” Mt Carbine Rodeo Association president Ian Pedersen said. “We had about 1500 people here last year.”
With free camping, and “non-stop music for four hours from 9pm,” the event attracts people from as far south as Townsville, to the Tablelands, Cairns, Port Douglas and Mareeba, and north to Cooktown and Hopevale.
“It’s a very action-packed day,” Ian said, adding, “and the big screen is back again this year. Everyone loves it.”
Affiliated with the Central Rodeo Cowboys Association, the event attracts the best of bull and bronc riders from across the region, who compete in the Open Bull ride, as well as Novice, Junior and Mini bull categories, Open, Bushman’s, Novice and Junior Saddle Bronc, calf ride and juvenile steer categories.
The stakes will be high with a whopping $16000 in prize money this year.
“We have wonderful sponsors,” Ian said. “We have one sponsor who’s been supporting us since the very start. We are very lucky to have people like that out here.”
So, too, the volunteers who work the kitchen, the bar and help prepare. Again, volunteers come from all over, including Townsville, Ian said.
And after 22 years of enjoying the show (one year was cancelled due to COVID), Ian admits he never tires of his favourites - the steer scruffing (a sort of wrestling match between human and steer) and the bushman’s saddle - complete with whip cracking.
A Sunday morning recovery breakfast of bacon and egg burgers will round off what is set to be a thrilling weekend.
Nominations for the event open today (Wednesday 31 July) until August 5.
On the day, gates open at midday, with the bar opening at 2pm and competition starting at 5pm.
Tickets are available online at www.trybooking.com/BRLQG and at the gate, but organisers remind patrons this is a cash-only event.
