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Record crowd turns out for Onslow Rodeo

Shannon BeattiePilbara News
Stacey McCarthy in the breakaway roping.
Camera IconStacey McCarthy in the breakaway roping. Credit: Pilbara News

Cowboys and cowgirls saddled up on the weekend for a buckin’ good time at the Onslow Rodeo.

The red dust flew as bucking bulls and broncos made their riders grab hold for the ride of their lives at one of the Pilbara’s few rodeo events.

The two-day event drew a record- crowd of about 700 people.

Wade McCarthy hold on in the open bull ride at the Onslow Rodeo.
Camera IconWade McCarthy hold on in the open bull ride at the Onslow Rodeo. Credit: Shannon Beattie/Pictures: Shannon Beattie, Shannon Beattie
Gerard Oversby in the open bareback.
Camera IconGerard Oversby in the open bareback. Credit: Pilbara News

At Saturday’s main event, riders competed in breakaway, rope and tie, barrel races, bareback, steer wrestling, saddlebronc, bull rides and more, before Backroads and the Dodge City Boys got the crowd partying well in to the night.

Gerard Oversby and Stacey Lambert were judged overall best cowboy and cowgirl respectively, while Madeline Spanjers and Kayne Lincoln were the best juniors.

Lucy Oversby in the junior breakaway at the Onslow Rodeo.
Camera IconLucy Oversby in the junior breakaway at the Onslow Rodeo. Credit: Shannon Beattie
A cowboy gets bucked off his horse at the Onslow Rodeo.
Camera IconA cowboy gets bucked off his horse at the Onslow Rodeo. Credit: Pilbara News, Shannon Beattie

Onslow Rodeo committee member Bruce Strahan said the event was slowly growing each year.

“As we improve the grounds we get more people out there,” he said.

“It’s part of the circuit now as well, we follow Pannawonica and this weekend is Broome, that’s helping us to get a record number of riders involved.”

Jack Collins in the open saddlebronc at the Onslow Rodeo.
Camera IconJack Collins in the open saddlebronc at the Onslow Rodeo. Credit: Pilbara News
Hunta Gallacher in the ladies’ barrels.
Camera IconHunta Gallacher in the ladies’ barrels. Credit: Pilbara News

Mr Strahan said the Six Gun Local Bull Ride was one of the major drawcards of the rodeo.

“We give six people the chance to ride a bull, but in order to do that they have to raise $1000 for a local charity,” he said.

“They have to wear a helmet, vest and gloves so the safety aspect is there, but they do get bucked off pretty quickly, I think the longest anyone managed to stay on was about two seconds.”

Luke Metcalf in the open bareback at the Onslow Rodeo.
Camera IconLuke Metcalf in the open bareback at the Onslow Rodeo. Credit: Shannon Beattie
Jordan Ganci grabs on in the steer wrestling at the Onslow Rodeo.
Camera IconJordan Ganci grabs on in the steer wrestling at the Onslow Rodeo. Credit: Shannon Beattie

The Onslow Rodeo is a family friendly-event, with parents and kids travelling from Exmouth and Karratha to enjoy it.

“It’s something a bit different, a lot of people have never been to a rodeo but they really enjoy it” Mr Strahan said.

Most of the riders now head to Broome for next rodeo in the circuit.

Kaiden Matera falls off his bull in the Six Guns local bull ride.
Camera IconKaiden Matera falls off his bull in the Six Guns local bull ride. Credit: Pilbara News
Alister Oversby in the steer wrestling.
Camera IconAlister Oversby in the steer wrestling. Credit: Pilbara News

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