IF there was ever any doubt of the popularity of bull riding it was put to rest in Julia Creek last week at the PBR sanctioned Dirt n Dust Bull Ride.
A crowd estimated in excess of 2500 people cheered roared and applauded as some of the gutsiest men in the world took part in this extreme sport described rightly as the most dangerous sport in the world.
Defending event champion Ryan Storey didn’t need any convincing to make the long trek west to Julia Creek for this year’s Dirt n Dust Festival after taking out the event win in 2014. He delivered again this year in front of a huge vocal crowd and was presented with the 2015 Julia Creek Dirt n Dust Champions Buckle.
Nine qualified rides were recorded in the long round with Cody Heffernan from Singleton New South Wales riding Cool as Ice for 86.5 points. Reece Weller from Woodford, Queensland, (who has only recently returned from injury) matched this performance with another 86.5 point ride aboard Tough Intentions to split the round lead.
PBR Championship Standings leader Fraser Babbington from Gisborne, New Zealand, covered his draw LA Ink for 85 points and was third place in the round, just ahead of Dingo’s Ben Seeds who scored 84.5 points on Dirty Deeds.
Sam O’Connor, Justin Paton, Ryan Storey and Kurt Shephard (who has only recently returned from the USA) all recorded scores.
Click below for a full image gallery from the night.
There were 12 positions on offer in the championship round which meant that three riders who had been unsuccessful on their first round bulls would have the opportunity to compete again and a chance to make a claim on the over $10,000 in prize money.
The power of the Brandenburg bulls on offer in the Championship Round took its toll on the riders until Ryan Storey went head to head with Spin to Win and when the dust settled the judges rewarded him with an 86.5 points and the overall event lead of 168.5 points.