The future of Territory rodeos is in safe hands for years to come, with more than 100 junior riders taking to the dust at the Never Never Festival's Mataranka Rodeo.
"The junior rodeo scene is an absolute buzz, with some rodeos getting up to 120 nominations," Mataranka Rodeo organiser Tara Craignie said.
"The future of rodeo is looking good for the NT."
Hundreds of spectators gathered around the area for a day of rodeo action with the much-anticipated bucking bulls the highlight of the night for rodeo fans, even though no competitor managed to stay on their beast for the required winning eight seconds.
"It was a fantastic turnout with people travelling from as far as Alice Springs to come and compete," Mrs Craigie said.
"Mataranka Rodeo is a favourite for competitors and over the years the crowd of spectators continues to grow which is great to see."
ALSO IN THE NEWS:
I would like to give a special thanks to Rankin Douglas and Liana Quirk for ensuring we had stock and relevant equipment to run the timed events such as breakaway roping and steer Undecorating. They are great events that the crowd thoroughly enjoys.
Live entertainment from Dr Elephant was a hit with the crowd, with support from local DJ KC Bishop.
Results
Johnny Craigie All Round Memorial Trophy
Candice McDonald
The Toni-Marie Butt Junior Rodeo - Series 1 - Mataranka 2023
Leadline Pole Bending
- Ebony McDonald (34.52 sec)
- Walter Grogan (35.59 sec)
- Elsie Hill (42.52 sec)
- James Bowen (52.57 sec)
Leadline Barrels
- Ebony McDonald (28.13 sec)
- Walter Grogan (28.93 sec)
- Elsie Hill (35.32 sec)
- James Bowen (47.15 sec)
Juvenile Pole Bending
- Bonnie Stanley (20.52 sec)
- Bunny Neill-Ballantine (21.40 sec)
- Betty Bethel (22.40 sec)
- Benji Bethel (26.25 sec)
Dolly Everett Memorial Juvenile Barrels
- Bunny Neill-Ballantine (15.51 sec)
- Bonnie Stanley (16.34 sec)
- Benji Bethel (19.13 sec)
- Emily Court (19.35 sec)
Junior Pole Bending
- Kailee Rykers (20.84 sec)
- Bunny Neill-Ballantine (22.03 sec)
- Georgia Lehmann (22.94 sec)
- Zayley Baster (25.93 sec)
Junior Barrels
- Olivia Priester (14.41 sec)
- Bunny Neill- Ballantine (15.23 sec)
- Kailee Rykers (15.44 sec)
- Brooke Taylor (15.45 sec)
Poddy Ride 5 to under 8
- Tie - Lucy Whitehouse & Tessa Vale (score 80)
- Mia Bryan & Rory Harries (score 60)
Poddy Ride 9 to under 14
- Benji Bethel (Score 60)
Junior Steer Ride
- River Skyring (Score 62)
- Tahj Gardner (Score 60)
- Jed Fairchild (Score 56)
Raymond Mayo Junior Bull Ride
- Jack James (Score 66)
- Merv Johnson (Score 64)
- Matilda James (Score 22)
Pony Bareback 6 to under 10
- Tie James Bowen (Score 30)
- Mac Harries (Score 30)
- Benji Bethel (Score 30)
- Jack Murphy (Score 20)
Pony Bareback 11 to under 14
- Kooper Reid (Score 60)
Bucking Pony Bareback 14 to under 16
No score
Territory Rodeo Services - Mataranka Rodeo 2023
Senior events
Novice Barrel Race
- Bunny Ballantine (14.98 sec)
- Kailee Rykers (15.03 sec)
- Annabelle Keith (15.20 sec)
Open Barrel Race
- Candice McDonald (13.99 sec)
- Olivia Priester (14.26 sec)
- Georga Dehne (14.77 sec)
Open Breakaway Roping
- Candice McDonald (2.73 sec)
Steer Undecorating
- Shae Abela (3.44 sec)
Open Saddle Bronc
- Fenn Forrester (Score 70)
- Sam Stanford (Score 60)
Open Bareback
- Daniel Youngberry (Score 76)
- Rooster Craigie (Score 66)
- Jason Craigie (Score 65)
Station Buck Jump, Novice Bull Ride, Open Bull Ride
No Scores
Annie Hesse
I am an award-winning media and communications professional with experience across print, digital, social and radio broadcast, as well as photography and videography. I am the NT Correspondent at Australian Community Media and I write for my hometown newspaper, the Katherine Times. I love telling people's stories, and I am passionate about giving those a voice who may otherwise remain unheard. When I am not busy putting pen to paper, I spend time in my garden, go bushwalking or travel across the Northern Territory, Australia or the world. In my spare time I write, illustrate and publish books.
I am an award-winning media and communications professional with experience across print, digital, social and radio broadcast, as well as photography and videography. I am the NT Correspondent at Australian Community Media and I write for my hometown newspaper, the Katherine Times. I love telling people's stories, and I am passionate about giving those a voice who may otherwise remain unheard. When I am not busy putting pen to paper, I spend time in my garden, go bushwalking or travel across the Northern Territory, Australia or the world. In my spare time I write, illustrate and publish books.
