Riches galore at WA rodeo
More than 4000 fans witnessed a piece of history at the weekend with the staging of WA's first Australian rodeo championship.
With $56,000 in prizemoney up for grabs, the Boddington event is also Australia's richest one-day rodeo event.
Rodeo co-ordinator Stan Cherry said Boddington's 37th annual rodeo had attracted 42 competitors from WA, interstate and overseas.
"We not only attracted the largest rodeo crowd, but also the highest level of talent ever, with hopes WA will have another crack at hosting the championships soon," he said.
At the grand opening, a splash of pageantry was paraded as riders carried into the arena international flags representative of the sport's rich heritage around the world.
Nationals leader Brendon Grylls opened the event, saying the sport was the heart and soul of country life.
Making his debut in WA, US cowboy Justin Miller, of Montana, took out the bareback riding competition.
WA cowboy Wade McCarthy won the loudest applause of the night as he grabbed the open bull ride competition with the highest score, 84 points.
Eastern States ropers dominated many of the events such as the team roping, rope and tie and ladies' breakaway roping.
