A RODEO school planned for Longreach in mid-August is attracting interest from interstate, organisers say, thanks to chief instructor Dave Kennedy, a three-time Australian PBR champion.
Retired bull rider Adrian Roots has organised the two-day event, the first for western Queensland in possibly 10 years, because he's concerned that rodeo in the region will die without an injection of knowledge at the grassroots.
"There is an opportunity to make a living out of rodeo but you've got to take the right avenues," Adrian said.
"There are good young riders out there - when they meet Dave they'll realise just what's achievable and get some pointers."
Adrian has a vested interest - his five-year-old son loves poddy riding already.
"I just worry it might not be there for him in the future. It gets expensive if you're not winning."
As well as giving young riders an insight to the sport, he wants to give them the skills to outsmart the quality bucking stock getting around nowadays.
"People are breeding specifically for rodeos now and the animals are getting better, so we've got to keep the standard of riding up."
In addition to teaching the art of bull riding, from poddies right up to the biggest bulls, APRA's 2012 Bullfighter of the Year, Jared Borghero, will provide an outline of the tricks of the rodeo clown trade, which is an art in itself.
"Each person in the school will be bucking bulls under instruction, while Jared is talking others through what to do in the ring, so it all ties in," Adrian said.
Cloncurry brothers Mavryn and Byron Remfrey are two more of the quality instructors the school can boast.
They will be passing on the secrets of bronc riding and picking up.
The two days of instruction will be held on August 15 and 16 and will tie in with a rodeo in Longreach on the Friday night, and another one following at Stonehenge on Saturday, August 17.
As well as practical activities, such as spending time on a 44-gallon drum and learning counter moves, Dave will be going through the mental and physical training required.
All participants will be captured on film so they can see what they were doing right or wrong and learn when to make their counter moves.
If this school is a success, Adrian said he would aim to continue it each year, adding new elements such as barrel racing and breakaway roping coaching.
"I just don't want to bite off more than I can chew at this stage," he said.
