RODEO
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CHASING a showdown with a former world champion, Wagga young gun bull rider Sean Lynch has jumped on board the Coolamon Rodeo on Saturday.
Two weeks after indicating he would be unable to ride at Coolamon, the 18-year-old rising star has been slotted into the field beside ex-world titleholder Brad Pierce, who operates a cattle enterprise at Tooma.
The inclusion of Pierce in the bull riding list for Saturday’s event at Coolamon Showground is believed to have influenced Lynch to also ride.
For Lynch, the challenge of trying to topple the former international champion gives him an opportunity to further lift his standing in the rodeo ranks.
Lynch finished equal first in the bull ride at the Emerald Rodeo in Queensland a fortnight ago and has a growing reputation in the Australian Professional Rodeo Association.
The teenage bull rider, who had earlier triumphed at the Longreach Rodeo and finished fourth at Darwin, is currently sixth behind New Zealand cowboy Fraser Babbington on the APRA bull ride ladder.
Despite Lynch’s burgeoning bull riding repute, Pierce will be favourite to win on Saturday.
The expected duel between Pierce and Lynch is set to highlight the Coolamon Rodeo, particularly with the withdrawal of Wantabadgery star Cody Angland from the bareback and saddle bronc rides.
Coolamon Rodeo official Jamie McInerney yesterday revealed Angland had been on target to ride at the meet before suffering an injury.
McInerney said Angland had “smashed his hand” at the Gundagai horse festival last weekend.
“It’s certainly a shame he (Angland) won’t be riding,” McInerney said.
“Even so, there will be will be some top notch riders competing.”
The Coolamon Rodeo, which carries circuit APRA points, is the last before the important Warwick Rodeo on Saturday and Sunday, ensuing quality riders take part.
McInerney yesterday revealed rodeo organisers were optimistic of building on the success of last year’s inaugural Coolamon event.
“We were really happy with the way the first one went (in 2012),” McInerney said.
“We got somewhere between 700 and 800 and we’re hoping for a few more this year.”
Last year’s debut Coolamon Rodeo was later lauded in the town’s Australia Day awards.
McInerney said “a lot of work” has gone into staging the Coolamon Rodeo and the honour had been rewarding.
The Coolamon Rodeo will start at 3pm.