October 18, 2017
One of the highlights of the recent South Burnett and Cherbourg On Show long weekend was the action-packed Cooyar Rodeo, held at the rear of the Cooyar Hotel.
The rodeo is a full National Rodeo Association event with points accruing for the NRA championship.
The red hot favourite on the night was Cooyar’s favourite rodeo son, Jack McArthur, who has been having a top season in the bull ride.
McArthur raised the highest bid in the calcutta before the competition started, but sadly ended up out of a place.
Kenny Hilan took home the glory, $1488 in prize money and 74 championship points.
Seats lined the specially built ring at the rear of the hotel, and they were packed with spectators.
It was almost impossible to get a parking spot in the small town, with vehicles parked up and down the main street, in Swinging Bridge Park and across the Back Creek bridge in McDougall Street.
When southburnett.com.au arrived, 441 people had already come through the gate (they were counting) and there were more people arriving.
As well as all the rodeo action, there was live music on a temporary stage from 8:30pm until late.
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Results
Open Bull Ride
1. Kenny Hilan
2. Joshua Jones
Bareback Ride
1. Matty Makinson
2. Dinny Moran
3. Bevan Brown
4. Jim Ward
Novice Bull Ride
1. Lachlan Deane
U18 Junior Bull Ride
1. Lachlan Dark
2. Ty Thomson
3. Zac McCarthy
U12 Poddy Ride
Equal 1. Jacob Taylor
Equal 1. Wesley McDonald
3. Rawley McWhirter
4. Jacob Day