Thrills and spills, no bull

Julie Lightfoot

Monday, July 14, 2008

VIDEO: Bucking bulls, steer-wrestling, beaut utes and a 50th anniversary queen crowning have combined to break a crowd record at Mareeba's weekend of all things rodeo.

More than 15,500 spectators flooded in to Kerribee Park for thrills and spills aplenty, delighting organisers.

View Mareeba Rodeo video.

View Mareeba Rodeo picture gallery.

Last year’s crowd of 14,000 was the previous record for the decade.

Bullriders from all over Australia wowed onlookers with high scores on Saturday night, making New South Wales’ "State of Origin" victory in the ring a little easier to bear for diehard Maroons fans.

The Blues also claimed overall individual winners for the weekend with New South Welshman and national titles leader Warren Norton named all-round cowboy and Nichole Amey all-round cowgirl.

A bumper parade down Byrnes St got things rolling on Friday night. Past Mareeba rodeo queens from all over Australia joined in the contest’s 50th anniversary action by climbing on board floats and cheering on this year’s champion, Katie Rains.

"It was a really big parade of about 60 floats so that was a great start to the weekend," Mareeba District Rodeo Association secretary Deb McGrath said.

Blue skies and school holidays kept the families pouring into Kerribee Park on Saturday and Sunday, where locals tested their mettle against interstate riders on everything from bulls to saddle broncs.

<strong>Ride on: </strong>Novice bull ride competitor Jacob Linwood encounters a bull up close and personal after his ride.

Ride on: Novice bull ride competitor Jacob Linwood encounters a bull up close and personal after his ride.

<strong>Proof:</strong> Veteran driver Brian McLean's car is repairable despite this fist-sized rock hit but he fears someone's life may be lost because of such senseless acts.

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Glen Carnell with the lump of wood used to attack a mugging victim.

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<strong>It's not a popularity contest:</strong> Mayor Val Schier has defended her decision to raise rates despite running on a promise to keep them low.

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<strong>Not impressed:</strong> Cecil Goodman.

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Lifesaver Ebeny Keating loves to bask in the sunshine and absorb the relaxed lifestyle that only the Far North offers.

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A LOVE affair with the region's clean beaches and exotic islands began the moment Ebeny Keating arrived in the Far North 11 years ago. more

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