Latest update December 4th, 2024 2:40 AM
Plenty skills, spills and thrills at Rising Sun Rodeo
On a sun baked day with plenty of action, Rodeo fans had a full platter of action as the Rising Sun Rodeo Committee successfully held another action packed, fun filled day of breathtaking performances at the entity’s venue
The saying goes, ‘Don’t mess with the bull or you will get the horns’ stands true in this case for this Vaquero during the Bull riding contest. (Banks DIH photo)
Rising Sun, Arima Park, West Coast Berbice on Sunday last.
Fans could not have asked for more as their palates were fully soaked with non-stop action.
There were plenty of skills, thrills, spills fun and frolic as the Vaqueros displayed their dexterity in some daring sequences as many spectators were left in admiration.
The competition was very intense as the foreigners, those from the hinterland and the coast Landers threw caution to the wind to compete for top positions as they did their thing in their risky game of fun.
Some Vaqueros endured some awkward tumbles but managed to continue to perform. Some were not as lucky as they and their horses received slight injuries. Some of the riders were butted, kicked and charged at by the raging bulls as they performed some daring escapes 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. Several spectators who sought better viewing on fences were forced to beat hurried retreats as some of the wild bulls and horses charged into the fences.
This very uncooperative horse dumps his rider during the Saddle Bronco contest.
One piece worth mentioning saw the rider after dismounting the raging bull, slapped it on its behind because it did not perform to his likeness and sent it on its way; the animal in return turned around and butted the rider flattening him to the ground as the assistant raced forward to his assistance.
Two assistants in red were special targets for the bulls and by now must be still sore from their many short sprints, falls and tangles with the animals.
Seven 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, restrained and milk the animal within a period of two minutes. The participant with the most milk won.
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 – saw the Rising Sun pair of Keino Hardcourt and Travis Hardcourt taking top honours ahead of another Rising Sun Combination of Baby Semple and his partner.
The Calf roping event was dominated by the West Berbice Posse out of Rising Sun as they took all three top spots with Travis Hardcourt winning from Keino Hardcourt and Baby Semple.
In the Bare Back Bronco event- Juda Kenion of Saddle Mountain, Rupununi thrilled the crowd with his acrobatics and skills to be crowned champion ahead of Carlos Robertson of Lethem and Julio De Santos of Brazil.
Wild Bull Riding saw Brazilian Julio Santos taking top honours ahead of David Vincent and Yudi De Souza.
The Saddle Bronco event was won by Richard Peters ahead of David Vincent and Juda Kenian.
The Best Dress male Vaquero prize went to Vender Peters.
The overall top performer prize was shared between Julio De Santos and Juda Kenion. The event was attended by a wide cross section of spectators. The prizes which included cash incentives and trophies were presented to the outstanding performers immediately after the completion of the final event.
Organiser Fazal Habibulla was once again overwhelmed and pleased with how the day unfolded. He was happy with the support of the many fans and expressed his gratitude for all the support received.
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. (Samuel Whyte)
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