Reporter learns a lesson or two at first Warwick Rodeo
SINCE joining the Warwick Daily News team almost five months ago I had heard so much about the Warwick Rodeo I could not wait to see the real thing.
My mother and grandparents grew up in Warwick and were full of stories about the famous Warwick Rodeo.
I had been told how the rodeo transformed Warwick into a hive of activity, drawing huge crowds of people and animals alike to the Warwick Showgrounds every year.
This week the wait was finally over and on Monday I got my first chance to witness campdrafting in action.
As a self-confessed city kid, campdrafting, cutting, and horsemanship were, until this week, unfamiliar concepts.
Covering the start of the Black Toyota Canning Downs Campdraft, and the Pryde's EasiFeed Warwick Gold Cup I quickly learnt an important lesson.
The beast is a great leveller.
I heard that comment from many a rider or spectator at the showgrounds and watching the entrants in action I soon saw the truth of the statement.
Months and years of training can come to nought when matched against the will of a wild animal.
I still might not be able to tell the difference between a score of 90 or 70 but it was easy to see the level of skill needed just to compete in such a unique sporting event.
