Bedourie Rodeo & Races

Rick & I and Carol & Tony decided to take our motorhomes out to the racecourse and camp out there Friday night.   That way we could enjoy the rodeo, then be up and ready for the races.   We had our motorhomes entered into the Travellers & Ute Muster on the Sat and had to be in line around 9am anyway.

Bulls lined up for the Rodeo as the sun sets and the rodeo starts.   Well.  It was supposed to start at 6 but I think it was more like 7.30.   Very laid back.  Mostly local station boys showing themselves off to their mates/girls perhaps?   Had a couple of little tackers competing which was really great to see.    A couple of our motorhome mates also had a go at tackling a bull to the ground.   They won!!!!!!!!   It was a lovely night to be outdoors.  We set our chairs up on some concrete culverts and so almost had a "grandstand" view again.   No not really.

The Crowds anticipating the action.

The Utes and Motorhomes lined up the next morning for the Show and Competition.   The Big Red Bus took out 1st Place in the Best Travellers Motorhome Category.   Carol & Tony took out 1st Place in the Furtherest Qld. Motorhome, Cathy (a solo) took out 1st Place in the Furtherest from Home (shes from Tassie) and one of other Motorhomers took out 1st Place in the Best Bull Bar.    We all were presented with a trophy, number plate surrounds and an envelope that had $400 cash in it.   That was a great surprise.   Very happy campers we lot were.   Just after the judging in the morning, we met up with some caravanners, Gary & Cathy that we had met in 2011 in WA.   We had camped with them in 3 places and enjoyed a happy hour with them way back then.    They recognised Rick/The Bus and came over to say HI.  It was a really nice surprise.    Its great to catch up with those you have met on the road.

Carol & Tony with their award.

The Bedourie Cup.   It was a tight 3 way finish and a protest.  Race results were a long time coming.   The long shot got up and won in the end.   These races were very laid back.   It was once again hot and it seemed to take forever between races.  The only good thing was that the motorhomes were parked up close to the seating and we were able to keep ducking out to get cold drinks and snacks.   Only a few hundred attended the meeting, mostly locals, some very dressed up.   The theme was dress pink for breast cancer research and many did, including lots of men.   I bought a nice pink t shirt from the cancer stall to wear  on the day.   Once again, we didnt really bet, just picked a horse and barracked it down the course.   The bookies were doing a roaring trade though.   The locals sure know how to throw money around.      Many of the horses and jockeys had been at Birdsville.   We were tipped a good thing by a trainer we met, and decided to

bet up big on his horse.   Sadly he couldnt get a jockey and the horse was a non starter.

The Racecourse Camp

 Fashions on the Field.  We had decided to stay out at the Racecourse that night, but opted to go back and park up on our patch of grass again rather than the dust of the racecourse.