Action packed, fun filled day at Rising Sun Rodeo

Nov 02, 2010 Sports

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– Organisers hail it a success

Samuel Whyte

Rodeo fans had a full plate of action on a sun drenched day as the Rising Sun Rodeo Committee successfully held an action packed, fun filled day of breathtaking action, at Arima Park, West Coast Berbice.
It was skill, thrills and spills as the competitors that included vaqueros from as far as Brazil and Guyana’s Rupununi District entertained the large turnout of fans to some daredevil bronco riding that came after they were wooed by the breathtaking beauty of the cowgirl models.
Many spectators were left in awe at some of the displays The Vaqueros were up to the task as they displayed their skills in some daring and breath taking sequences with some even deciding to use the backs of the animals to wine down each other.
Some Vaqueros as well as their animals ended on their heads, shoulders and backs, while some received some awkward tumbles, but managed to resume their routines.
The performance of the day was undoubtedly done by Brazilian Raimundo Antonio, who despite his horse falling to the ground in the Bare Back Bronco ride, still managed to stay put on his animals like a ‘tyre on a rim’ with his one arm raised and continued his sojourn.
One vaquero had his leg stuck on the back of the animal with him on the ground and some how managed to free himself and successfully remounted his animal.
One participant who was clearly one of the stars on show among the local posse was lucky to evade the charge of a wild bull he had only seconds before wrestled to the ground, but somehow failed to recognise that the animal was not tied properly, before it managed to free itself and make a dash at him.
Female rider Abigail Johnson did not last long on the animal back as she received what seemed to be a nasty fall, but sprang up within a second of her falling to the ground.
The day’s event saw the local West Coast Posse led by the indomitable Fazal Habibulla holding their own against their more illustrious counterparts from the interior and Brazil.
The competition this year was more intense as more cowboys came out to participate in the day’s activities.
There were plenty of improvements; the new grand stand constructed at the venue was filled long before the event began, while sand and grass adorned the venue which was once filled with dirt.
Double rails were inserted all around the arena, which was inserted to guide the animals to their various stations and also used for the safety of the spectators.
Nine events were run off, among them were Wild cow milking, where the participants (a pair) had to rope, restrain and milk the animal within a period of two minutes. The participants with the most milk won.
In the Calf roping competition, the Vaquero on horse back was required to rope a calf around the neck, dismount the horse, secure three feet of the calf by tying it, stand and raise their hand in the air to indicate that they are done and the person with the fastest time won.
Among the crowd favourites were the Bare back bronco and Bull riding and Saddle bronco. These events are similar.
The vaqueros had to wear a pair of spurs, and stay on the animal for 10 seconds, one hand must be free away from the animal at shoulder level at all times.
The Vaqueros would then throw their hats in the air as a sign of triumph.
A few of the riders were thrown off their animals and some patrons escaped ‘by the skin of their teeth’ as the wild animals charged into fences forcing spectators who had perched to get a better view to beat a hasty retreat.
All of this was done by the animals in an attempt to throw off their riders, who through skills or divine intervention were able to avert injury throughout the day.
In the end the various winners were Wild Cow milking saw the combination of May May Anderson and Keino Hardcourt collecting the most milk as they won from second place Orin Peters and Ryan Azeez with Ryan Alsides and Zefon Rodrigues third.
The Calf roping event saw Clive Ross winning from Odo Peters and Orin Anastace.
In the Bare Back Bronco event Brazilian Raimundo Antonio thrilled the crowd with the acrobatics and skills to be crowned champion ahead of Raimondo Junior and Max Celso.
Bull Riding saw Max Celso returning to take top honours ahead of Brazilian Beto Saraivo and Paul Simon.
Brazalian Raimundo Antonio returned to win his second event on the day’s programme as he took to the top spot in the Saddle Bronco event ahead of Max Celso and Odo Peters.
West Berbice beauty and University of Guyana student, 17 yr old Aeyshia Sheriff of Bath and of the Sheriff Cattle ranch strode away with the Rodeo Queen competition dethroning reigning champion Ranyela Nacimento of Brazil.
In second place was Shellon Abrams of Brazil, while Aeyshia’s younger sister Yasmin Sheriff came in third.
The Best Dressed male Vaqueros prizes were shared among the Brazilians Beto Saraivo and Raimundo Antonio.
The tug o war event saw the visitors winning from the locals as the riders traded their riding skills for the strength war.
The prizes which included cash incentives, trophies, and other prizes were presented to the outstanding performers immediately after the completion of the final event.
The vaqueros, included the females, were from Brazil, Venezuela and the interior regions of Rupununi and Lethem along with the locals from West and East Berbice.
Organiser Fazal Habibulla, who along with Inshanally Habibulla were the coordinators, speaking to the media said they were overwhelmed and pleased with how things went during the day’s proceedings.
He added that he was happy with the support of the fans and expressed his gratitude for all the support received.
He was also loud in praise for the media in helping to publish the event.
The other members of the organizing team include Johnny and Jules Fredricks, Donald and Zaleena Lawrie, Grace Atkinson, Ovid Walcott, Lionel Moonsammy, Lalta Deokie and Odo Peters.

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