RODEO'S a tough sport that attracts only the dedicated, writes SARAH HUDSON
Lee Kimber was in nappies when he experienced his first rodeos, driving around the nation in horse sleeper trucks with his parents, who were both national competitors.
He started riding poddy calves at seven, entered serious competition at 14 and since then has won numerous titles, including Australian team roping and rope and tie champion.
Along the way, the Lockington cowboy has competed with his father, brother and now his partner, Cherie O'Donoghue, also a national champion.
"Once it's in your blood, it's there," says the 32-year-old.
"When I was younger I only wanted to win the Australian title, and then when I got that it was the Pro Tour, and then when I had that I just wanted to keep winning to stay on top.
"It's like a drug, an addiction. My Dad used to say it's hard to get to the top but it's twice as hard once you get there."
Lee fears he's a dying breed, with concerns about animal rights and cruelty threatening to pull the plug on the sport. "Yeah, I'm concerned they'll ban the event," he says.
"It's not a cruel sport. There are family people who love animals who do it."
Whether you love rodeos or loathe them, even the staunchest critic has to marvel at the brute skill of a cowboy.
There are about 1800 professional riders dotted around the nation, including nearly 700 in Victoria, with the top champions earning about $11,000 in a year.
This state hosts about 20 rodeos each year, with the national finals in January on the Gold Coast.
There are six standard events in rodeo, including bareback bronc riding, bull riding and team roping.
Not surprisingly, injuries are common.
"I rode bulls for 10 years and I had a few injuries. I broke my leg, arm, rib, punctured a lung and had a few stitches here and there - nothing to whinge about," says Lee, who runs a transport company and an 80ha lucerne farm.
"I had a broken arm one week and the next I took the plaster off and rode again. It's not the sort of thing you want to be doing.
" I look back now and think it was a bit silly.
"I stopped (riding bulls) because I was sore all the time. If you miss a rodeo it could cost you a win."
Cherie, who was raised at Kamarooka, north of Bendigo, says she rode as a child and has been competing since the age of 21.
Years of training have kept her injury free.
"I've had a few spills but touch wood I've not had anything serious," says Cherie, one of the nation's leading female riders.
"It's not an appreciated fact that it takes years to work and develop trust with a horse."
She blames the gap between city and country dwellers for concerns about animal cruelty.
"We have some of the highest standards of animal welfare around. "Our horses live into their 20s, which is almost unheard of. "A lot of people don't understand how animals are handled, how they work."
Cherie, who is a secondary school nurse in Bendigo, says rodeo is not a popular sport for women but she's addicted to it.
"If you like an adrenaline rush you'll love rodeo, but if you are happier at a leisurely pace, then it won't be so attractive," she says.
Trafalgar competitor Paul Kenny, the reigning national steer wrestling champion, admits to only one injury: a dislocated shoulder while roping a bull.
"I used to play footy and I'd wake up more sore the next morning, compared to doing rodeo," Paul says.
The 36-year-old has been competing since the age of 13 - like Lee, following in his father's footsteps.
These days it's a hobby for Paul, who says a good year is when he covers costs.
"There's no fortune in it. I suppose I like it because I'm competitive," he says.
Despite the dangers, all three plan to continue riding for years to come.
Lee Kimber's father still competes in his 50s.
"For some people there's a use-by-date," Lee says.
"I don't think I'll be steer wrestling at 70 but I'll still be doing roping. You can do this sport at any age."
