AUSTRALIA now has its first collegiate rodeo team, after Charles Sturt University of Wagga Wagga established a new club that has drawn in about 130 members.
Aimed at supporting and encouraging those keen to try something new, the CSU Rodeo Club wants to grow involvement in the rodeo circuit and facilitate training sessions for those interested in learning more about a number of events.
Third year Bachelor of Veterinary Science student and CSU Rodeo Club president Lachlan Cameron who comes from Kangaroo Valley, said he first started off rodeoing two years ago at the Kangaroo Valley Rodeo, but he soon found if you don't know someone or have mates involved, it is hard.
"I got into bull riding for a year, then got busted up a bit and didn't know people ... and that is why we started the club - if you don't have someone you know or mates in rodeos it is hard to get into," Lachlan said.
Fuelled by the fun, adrenaline-driven action of the rodeo scene, Lachlan and some of his fellow students at CSU wanted to provide an environment for those that want to take their weekends watching their local rodeos or riding horses, to the next level jumping behind the chutes to get leg up in competitive rodeo world.
"There is a lot of very capable people at university," he said. "My friendship group is all horsey or from strong cattle backgrounds ... but they aren't exposed to it."
The club had 130 members sign up, including about 15 that were not from the CSU University. University students received membership at a discounted rate.
"Majority are girls with by far the most interest coming from barrel racing. A huge number that have done English riding but want to go into rodeo," he said.
"Then there is a fair bit of interest in saddle bronc. Most members are from ag backgrounds, but the majority of the people trying bull riding for the first time seem to be people from a non-ag background."
In its first year the committee of six enthusiastic individuals are gauging where the most interest is and what they need to provide its members to ensure they keep growing and moving towards the end goal of hosting a college rodeo competition exclusive to university students.
"We will be doing bull riding, bronc riding, bare back, barrel racing, roping with dumbies ... but going forward we have good connections with stock and yards and chute suppliers to include all events," he said.
The rodeo community in southern NSW has rallied behind the club, helping them out with organising training days and stock and equipment to be utlised by participants.
"Everyone we talked to has been great at helping us out," Lachlan said. "From a lot of local cowboys offering to volunteer their time and expertise, to contractors offering to cart stock in for the training.
"Tarcutta and Gundagai Rodeos have been great getting behind it."
They also have the Red Steer Hotel Motel in Wagga Wagga on board as major sponsors, and if you don't have gear, don't worry, as according to Lachlan a lot of friends and people within the community will help supply what is needed for trainings.
The CSU Rodeo Club were planning to host their first training day focused on bull riding, barrell racing and roping, but COVID-19 has meant it had to cancelled.
"We are planning to go ahead August 1 and 2 at Gundagai with a saddle bronc, roping and barrel racing clinic, and aim to plan a bull riding day later in the year,' he said.
"We want to also actively encourage members to go to other rodeos as individuals, while also potentially using the CSU bus to travel to rodeos within two hours of Wagga (after coronavirus restrictions ease and we get back to normal."
With interest from groups of students from a number of other universities keen to establish their own club, the CSU team aims to have an end of year college rodeo that will be held at the Gundagai Rodeo.
"It would be similar to intercollegiate rodeo competitions ... each university team verse each other," he said.
Insured through the Australian Bushmen's Campdraft and Rodeo Association (ABCRA), Lachlan said "we have been talking to ABCRA executive officer Craig Young about sending a team to the USA college finals ... its a big goal for the club."
"To have an Australian college team enter, that are students from unis across Australia with individuals selected on a point system through rodeos."
Despite being put back due to COVID-19, and all CSU university students being sent home to now study online, the club is still offering merchandise and membership.
- For more information visit the CSU Rodeo Club Facebook page.
