Ryley Gibb takes out ABCRA steer wrestling championship

21-year-old Ryley Gibb successfully claimed the Australian title after knocking out 15 competitors from all over the country, but it was not without its challenges.

Gibb did not place in the first round, but successfully won the second round.

He also didn’t place in the third round but made up the points coming third in the open.

Gibb had a short lead in front of his competitors Andrew Atkins and Health Nichols heading into the final, but a steady ride was enough to seal the Australian championship.

“It was a tough competition. I went in there with a little bit of a lead but it was still tight, with enough room for others to catch me,” Gibb said.

“I didn’t know if I had won until they announced it. The realisation didn’t set in for a bit but it was a great feeling afterwards.

“For a few years this has been my goal, I just didn’t think it would come quite so soon.”

Gibb said he couldn’t have done it without his trusty steed.

Suffering from a laceration to its leg in 2015, Gibb’s horse Boss spent 12 months out of competition before returning to the circuit this year, making all the difference to his competition.

Gibbs had previously made the national finals and competed at the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association in 2015.

He decided to stay in Australia in 2016 to represent Queensland at the Royal Easter Show in Sydney. He also won the North Queensland Steer Wrestling Title, the Central Queensland Steer Wrestling Title and the Rodeo Services Australia Steer Wrestling Title before competing at the ABCRA national titles this year.

After having some down time, Gibb will return to the family property Lazy G south of Charters Towers, where he will prepare for the remaining rodeo season.