Action galore at Rising Sun Rodeo

Oct 28, 2014 Sports

By Samuel Whyte
It was action galore and fans could not have asked for more as the Rising Sun Rodeo

Top performers posing with organiser Fazal Habibulla (2nd left) after collecting their rewards.

Committee successfully held their annual action packed, fun filled day of breathtaking action at the Rising Sun, Arima Park West Coast Berbice venue last Sunday.
It was a day filled with skills, thrills, spills and plenty of fun and frolic as the Vaqueros displayed their dexterity in some daring sequences as many spectators were left in admiration.
This year the competition was very intense with a number of new features. The clown, who was on show for the first time and came all the way from Brazil to taunt the animals and worked as a protector for the riders was a hit. His antics and brave moves were timely on many occasions as he darted between the charging animals and rider and then slipped away just in time as the animals charged. The Vaqueros were up to the task as they showed off their ability in some brave sequences.
Vaqueros as well as their animals ended on their heads, shoulders and back with some getting awkward tumbles, but managed to continue to perform. Some were not as lucky as they and the animals received slight injuries. Some of the riders were butted, kicked and charged at by the bulls and how they escaped serious injuries was anyone’s guess. 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 serious injury throughout the day.
Many riders were displaced by the raging animals and had to beat a hasty retreat as the enraged animals charged. The wild animals especially the bulls charged at the rails and fences in a bid to escape the arena, forcing patrons perched to get a better view to fall or cling on for dear life. One piece worth mentioning saw the rider after dismounting the horse fired a double kick at the horse as he sent it on its way; the animal in return delivered a double back foot kick at the rider who somehow managed to evade the blow.
Nine events were run off, among the favorites were the Bare back bronco, 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 time. The Vaqueros would then throw their hats in the air as a sign of triumph. Wild Cow milking, where the participants (a pair) had to rope, restrain and milk the animal within a period of two minutes. The participant with the most milk won.

This rider has to scamper from the angry bull and the clown (right) tries to get the animal’s attention.

In the Calf roping, the Vaquero on horseback 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; the persons with the fastest time won.
In the end the various winners were Wild Cow milking – the Rising Sun pair of Keino Hardcourt and Kelroy Semple winning from Carlos Davis and Frank Andries and Christopher Deen and Kevin Mc Donald.
The Calf roping event saw star performer Keino Hardcourt of Rising Sun winning again this time from Johnny Nurse and Frank Andres.
In the Bare Back Bronco event – Odo Peters of the Rupununi Savannahs thrilled the crowd with his acrobatics and skills to be crown champion ahead of Udi De Souza of Brazil and Frank Andries.
Wild Bull Riding saw Brazilian Max Celso taking top honours ahead of Odo Peters and Frank Andries.
The Saddle Bronco event was won by Richard Peters of the Rupununi ahead of Julio De Santos and Keino Harcourt. No one was able to catch the steer after the first throw in the Steer Roping event.
For the second year in a row the Best Dressed male Vaquero prizes went to Brazilian Yudi De Souza.
The prizes which included cash incentives, trophies, and other memorabilia were presented to the outstanding performers immediately after the completion of the final events.
Organiser Fazal Habibulla was happy with how things went and expressed his gratitude for all the support received. He was also loud in praise for the media in helping to publish the event.
There were plenty of improvements including double rails which were inserted all around the Rodeo arena, in an effort to guide the animals to their various stations and also used for the safety of the spectators.
The event was attended by a wide cross section of spectators.