A bull rider lies on the ground after being thrown from a bull, while the animal is distracted by a bull fighter so the rider can leave the arena safely. Photo: DSL PHOTOGRAPHY
Boston Leather rides a bull at a rodeo promoted by bull fighter Gabe Wood. Photo: DSL PHOTOGRAPHY
ROSEWOOD’S Gabe Wood and twin brother Kirstin have been bull riders and bull fighters since their early teens.
The duo have notched up awards in the sport and earned many broken bones alongside accolades.
Like other adrenalin sports, bull riding is something people who like excitement pursue, but make no mistake, it’s not a cheap thrill.
There are skills to be learned in an industry that’s worked hard to ensure its sport and players are respected.
“Anyone doing this sport will get injured at some point,” he said.
“It’s the only sport in the world where there is a 100 percent guarantee you’re going to break a bone or get hurt.”
Don’t confuse injury with complacency though, the participants are battle ready and organisers have taken every step possible to ensure the safety of riders.
Bull riding is an activity that rewards agility and talent with broken bones and torn muscles.
Yet despite all that it’s still pursued, skills honed, bones set, stitches sewn and limbs wrapped up.
Now 33, Gabe’s body has borne the brunt of the very worst his sport has to offer.
“I started bull riding when I was around 14-years-old and rode until I was about 22,” he said.
“I smashed up my arm after it got jumped on by a bull during a rodeo.
“[Surgeons] put in a plate that goes from the top of my shoulder to the tip of my elbow.
“It’s got 14 screws and a plate that runs the length of that.”
The damage to his arm meant a year off riding so he began bull fighting, a role he describes as ‘cowboy protector’.
“I started enjoying bull fighting more than bull riding,” he said.
“Bull fighting became my focus and in 2014, I was voted NRA Bull Fighter of the Year."
The decision to quit riding altogether came after he was thrown by a bull while bull fighting and broke his neck.
“I had plates and screws put in and because I’d had my C6 and C7 plated and fused, I didn’t want to risk any more damage and so dropped out of bull riding altogether,” he explained.
His talent for bull fighting after breaking his neck remained strong and he went on to win two consecutive NRA Bull Fighter of the Year awards.
The excitement of professional bull riding, bull fighting and motocross in on at Kalbar Showgrounds this weekend.
You can get in on the action and watch competitors as they compete in the Kalbar Super Bull event on Saturday which is part of the Elite Bull Riders Australia 2024 series.
