Big Junkyard Dog gives Everingham short shrift

22nd July 2008

Rookie rider Jared Borghero heads toward the Great Western dirt as his bull, Leroy, gets the better of him on Friday night in t

BULL RIDING: THEY say every dog has his day but that was little comfort to cowboy Larry Everingham at the Great Western on Friday night.

Having gained the perfect draw, by being nominated for the Bounty Bull in the 4B's Rodeo, all Everingham had to do was stay on board Brian Duggan-supplied bull Junkyard Dog for eight seconds and he would be in the money.

When said quickly, eight seconds is little more than a couple of blinks of the eyelids, but when you're on the back of 900 kg of angry bucking beast it must feel like an eternity.

Barely had the Junkyard Dog exited the chute than he veered to the right, Everingham went slightly to the left and the pair parted company for the night.

The $1500, sponsored by Bell's Fencing Services, was safe for another week while Everingham might be wondering what he was thinking in making a comeback to rodeo.

The Open Bull ride did produce some good rides, especially from Emerald's Matt Postle, who took home the biggest pay cheque after amassing 83 points for his ride on Bear in the Air.

Unluckiest bull rider of the night had to be the in-form rider from Dingo, Ben Seeds. His first bull Species lost interest early in the eight second count, giving Seeds a re-ride. Again Seeds did little wrong but his bull, Hazard, failed to produce the kind of fire that gives a cowboy a big points tally.

His 79 points placed Seeds third, equal with rookie rider Jared Borghero.

Rockhampton cowboy Brad Corrie rode the awkward Frima well to score 81 points and take second spot.

The bulls were the winner in the Rookie section with just four scores recorded from the field of 20 riders.

Nebo's Mitchel Paton made the trip worthwhile with a score of 80 points on a bull named Speedy, while Gracemere cowboy Mitchell Offord recorded the night's most spectacular off-load when he parted company with Cranky Franky.

It was also a disappointing night for Matt Busby in the Saddle Bronc ride.

First horse went over to give him a re-ride from which he gained a no score.

However he was also given a chance on Bounty Horse Texas Jack where he needed a 10-second ride to collect $500 from Mavericks.

Busby was timed at 9.73 seconds before he leapt clear of the equine charger.

Clint Harm won the event on Rocking V with a score of 72 points.

There was a surprise in the Barrel Race when the "Alton Downs Express", Alleisha Priddle, incurred a five-second penalty to lose her chance of another victory in a Great Western rodeo.

Both Priddle and Maree Prow were the fastest returning to the marker, but knocked barrels en route and that let in Tara Jeffery on Hollywood Special, whose time of 12.462 seconds was 0.3 seconds slower, but gained without penalty.

It was a rugged ride for Brett Cross, but he held on grimly to win the Open Bareback section with 71 points.