Cloncurry's C150 bull ride won by Malbonvale Station ringer

The bulls contracted from Scone, NSW, clearly unsettled the riders. There were few bull rides qualifying past the eight seconds at the South 32 Best of the West rodeo held at the Cloncurry equestrian centre last Saturday night. 

Donovan Rutherfurd, from Malbonvale Station in the Cloncurry Shire, 40 kilometres south of Mount Isa - won with a total 83 points. He lasted the eight seconds in the first round but was unable to add to it in the final. 

“There was a lot of money up and good bulls, it feels good to stay on,” he said behind the chutes shortly after receiving his prize money from sponsor and stock contractor Edward Throsby.

His hand was caught in the rope as he was bucked off in the final. Rutherfurd said he was lucky to walk away almost unscathed. 

“I could not get it out. It was bloody rough,” he said. 

“I got out of that pretty good. 

“I am a bit sore everywhere but I guess it could have been a lot worse than what it was.” 

Rutherfurd works with his grandparents at Malbonvale. His cousins compete in rodeos and so watching them motivated him to take on the sport too. 

“I work with cattle every day, so why not try it?” he said. 

“It’s pretty fun so far.” 

Rutherfurd was uncertain where he would compete next, but he suspected it would be the Warwick Rodeo held on the last weekend of October. 

Competitors, sponsors and his friends were quick to offer their congratulations to Rutherfurd behind the chutes following the presentation. 

Other locals competing included Ned Ladner and Jake Curr, from Yelvertoft Station, Cloncurry boy Brendan Beard, and Connor Clements from Normanton. Katherine rider Jack Rasheed and Tennant Creek Station’s Sam Woodard were among those traveling from across the border to ride. 

The AR Contracting and Flamsteed Equipment Saddle Bronc was won by Tom Webster, who won with a total of 143 points. Webster won $5000 as his first prize. Luke Chaplain was second with 138 points.