ROEBOURNE RODEO BRINGS RIDERS, FAMILIES AND TRANS-TASMAN RIVALRY TO THE PILBARA

Rodeo action returned to Roebourne across Friday and Saturday, with riders, families and visitors gathering at the Norwest Jockey Club for the second annual Karlayura Roebourne Rodeo.

The weekend began with the Junior Rodeo on Friday, August 7, before the Open Rodeo took over the arena on Saturday, August 8. This year also featured the inaugural Trans-Tasman Invitational Rodeo Challenge, with Australian and New Zealand competitors facing off across events including bull riding, bareback, barrel racing and breakaway roping.

For Karlayura Rodeo co-founder and Nyarbali Elder Brian “BT” Tucker, the event is about much more than competition.

“It’s always good to come back to the people and it’s always good to come back to the country.” — Brian “BT” Tucker

BT said his vision was to build an event that brings communities from across the Pilbara and Kimberley together, while giving younger generations an opportunity to get involved in rodeo.

“So bringing people together, you’re bringing the whole family together. And that’s what I want to see at the end of the day,” he said.

He said seeing young people following in the footsteps of older generations of Aboriginal stockmen and horsemen remained an important part of the rodeo’s future.

That next generation was already on display, with junior rider Cade Eames finishing equal first in the 11-to-14-year-old steer ride.

“I come first in the 11 to 14 steer ride — equal first.” — Cade Eames

Cade already has his sights set on bigger competition, naming the open bull ride as his favourite event and saying he hopes to compete in it himself one day.

Kimberley rodeo rider Royce Malay said the Roebourne event was also an opportunity to reconnect with family and watch emerging riders test themselves in the arena.

“It’s been good to catch up with a lot of family.” — Royce Malay

Royce said seeing novice competitors stepping up, along with the Australia versus New Zealand competition, were among his highlights.

“Team Australia versus New Zealand — that’s pretty good to see down here,” he said.

The Trans-Tasman showdown was also a crowd favourite, with attendees Marnie and Darren — one Kiwi and one Australian — describing Australia versus New Zealand as “one of the best ones” of the day.

Others singled out the bull riding as the highlight of the weekend.

With young riders coming through, families travelling from across the region and a new international rivalry added to the program, BT said the bigger goal remains simple: bringing people together.