Man versus beast in pro thriller

Alan Kennedy | 30th December 2008

IF the second session of bull riding at the Great Western Hotel is as good as the start on the opening night, then the crowd will certainly get its money's worth.

It was the opening night of the Bundaberg Rum PBR Touring Pro event last night and a good crowd was on hand to give the best bull riders their support as they clashed with the meanest bulls around.

The Professional Bull Riders (PBR) always put on a good show at these events and that is not just the riders and the bulls.

Apart from the cowboys who are putting on the show and the protection athletes there to save a stricken cowboy from serious injury, there are plenty of people out to make sure the night is memorable.

In these PBR events the stage is set by the commentary team while the use of technology, both audio and visual, helps make bull riding one of the fastest-growing sports in Australia.

Assembled in Rockhampton for the PBR series are the best cowboys around with names like Jock Connolly, Ben Seeds and 2008 PBR bull riding champion Pete Farley, all keen to add to their growing reputations.

Pitted against them are the best bulls local contractors are able to supply.

The contest of man against beast lasts a maximum of eight seconds, not a long time when sitting at your desk in the office, but an eternity for a rider on the back of a gyrating beast that is making it plain he doesn't enjoy company such as that of a cowboy.

Last night, the scene was set early with five point-scoring rides from the opening nine cowboys.

Reports on both the first and second nights of the Bundaberg Rum PBR Pro Touring event will be in tomorrow and Friday's editions of The Morning Bulletin.