Wagga’s premier bull riding and bareback horse riding event – the Gil Mathews Wagga Pro Rodeo – crowned a new and unexpected bull riding champion on Saturday.
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Third-generation bull rider Sam Woodall came up trumps in the second division bull ride, claiming the buckle with a buzzer-beating ride that sent the crowd wild.
The 20-year-old was composed after winning on what was among the most successful Wagga Pro Rodeo debuts in recent memory.
“Yeah I was really happy with the ride, especially because it was my first in Wagga,” Woodall said.
“It was a really good crowd and that too, had heaps of fun.”
The victory all but confirmed Woodall’s status as a genuine talent, albeit one who’s done it tough in recent years.
The youngster broke his collarbone late in 2017 and has been working his way steadily back into the circuit.
Unsurprisingly, bull riding was something Woodall began at a young age and he’s got the pedigree to back it up.
His dad Gavin is a bull riding legend with three Australian championships to his name and his grandfather Ron also competed and still breeds competition bulls.
“I would’ve started really young, had a bit of a break between eight and 14 but I’ve been doing it for a while now,” Woodall said.
“Especially since I turned 14, I’ve been doing juniors and getting into it.
“After this, the next one’s Marrabel (Rodeo) and then you can go overseas or head further north if you want to keep competing.”
It wasn’t just the open events in focus with particular emphasis placed on junior and family entertainment in this year’s rodeo.
Event coordinator Jane Gill said rounds like the Shetland pony barrel races were designed to cater for kids and proved successful.
“We had 4000 through the gates this year, mostly families, and it looked like everyone had a good time,” Gill said.
“We had some of those kids events and more stalls to try and involved everyone.
“The conditions held out for us too, bit windy at the start but it came good.”
Gill was also pleased with the overall number of competitors.
“I think we would’ve had 21 or so in the second division bull ride which is great – overall it wasn’t quite as big as last year but it was still pretty good.”
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