THE calibre of bucking stock being produced by contractors now was evident at Bendemeer Rodeo on Saturday night where only two riders remained seated for the required eight seconds.
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But wowing the crowd in basically his comeback to the gruelling sport was Tamworth real estate sales agent Riley Gibson with a 77-point ride on Ugly Kid Joe.
He came away with the winner’s cheque over Barraba cowboy Chris Lowe with 74.
Gibson hopes to “do heaps more rodeos” this year.
“As a teenager – 17, 18 and 19 – I travelled a fair bit on the professional US, Canada and New Zealand circuits,” he said.
“I didn’t win anything major but did get a couple of Pro Rodeo Association wins.”
For the past six years, the 25-year-old has been putting a lot of time into his profession, leaving time only for “a handful of rodeos each year and a bit of league with the Walcha Roos”.
“But I’ll be doing heaps more this year,” he said.
“And I like Bendy Rodeo, always have.
“I’ve travelled to a fair few countries and seen a fair bit, and it’s one of the better events on our ABCRA circuit.
“It’s well run and they seem to know a fair bit about what they’re doing up there.”
