RODEO
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"IT'S not if you get hurt, it's when".This saying, which riders attest to, is often quoted in rodeo circles to highlight the dangers of the volatile and unpredictable sports of bull and bronc riding.For tough-as-nails international bull rider Bryden Aitken, the when looms ever present as he faces the prospect of mounting the nation's top bucking bull �powerful beast War Chief� at the Tumbarumba Rodeo.Aitken is one of 32 professional riders set to contest the open division at tomorrow's Tumbarumba Rodeo, to be held in the Tumbarumba Showgrounds.Organiser Rachael Daniel said thanks to high entry numbers, the calibre of riders nominated for the event and the quality of bulls and horses, the stage is set for an action-packed afternoon."We have had huge entries for both the open division and the second division," Daniel said."The standard of entries is very high ... the riders entered in the open division are Australian riders off the professional circuit and are coming from all over Australia, Queensland, Northern Territory, Victoria, NSW and South Australia."Along with Aitken's eagerly awaited bull ride aboard War Chief, there are two other much-hyped rides Daniel tips will be the "ones to watch"."Local cowboy Ben Hall will be riding bareback on Border Patrol and Cody Angland, who has ridden all over North America, has drawn Blue Horizon � one of the biggest and strongest horses on the circuit."These will be the rides to watch, but rodeoing is a very unpredictable sport and anything can happen."The rodeo, which will start at 2pm, will feature Australian Professional Rodeo Association (APRA) saddle and bareback bronc rides and bull rides, APRA and local steer rides, barrel races, steer wrestling and roping time events, junior events and the Open Poly Saddle Ride."The Open Poly Saddle Ride offers $1000 to the winner," Daniel said. "Riders have to ride the bucking horse while completing three cracks with a whip. It is a very difficult thing to do."A memorable part of the day is expected to be the Australian Rules and Rugby League Steer Ride Challenge, which will pit footballers from the rival codes against each other in the rodeo arena.Entry is priced at $55 for families, $20 for singles and $15 for aged pensioners.Local teenager Harry Grant is one of eight footballers preparing to swap Adidas Predators for cowboy boots.The 18 year old – who has been working as a jackeroo in the Northern Territory's Kimberly region – is not brand new to the sport, but still concedes the nerves are setting in."I grew up playing Aussie Rules and offered to get on the steer for the club (Tumbarumba Australian Football Club)," he said."I have ridden before... I do it a bit up where I work and around here, but it is still a little bit nerve-wrecking."A few of the other boys have done it before so it should be a lot of fun for the crowd."A "side show alley" will be in full swing on the day, with full bar facilities and entertainment, and a big screen television will air the arena action.Entry is priced at $55 for families, $20 for singles and $15 for aged pensioners.