Harvey Dickson Easter Rodeo: Top performances from rodeo families on display

Boyup Brook’s Harvey Dickson Easter Rodeo brought 160 competitors together in an action-packed spectacular with a crowd of 4000 spectators in awe of the thrills and spills from some of Australia’s best on the national circuit. The Australian Bushmen’s Campdraft and Rodeo Association event held on April 9 at Harvey Dickson’s custom-built rawhide corral was part of the two-day country music and rodeo extravaganza. It was a weekend for families to share as spectators and competitors in a unique country atmosphere that Mr Dickson has created for more than 22 years. The event marked a very special occasion for Bindoon farming couple Alister and Amanda Oversby and their children Russell, 10, and Lucy, 12, The couple celebrated their 18th wedding anniversary with a win in the team roping event, with Amanda roping the horns of a calf and Alister looping the heels in 7.76 seconds, the fastest team to do so in a field of 35 entries. Their two children also claimed victories with Russell winning the under-11 junior barrel race in a time of 17.1sec. and Lucy, riding her horse Sunny, won the 11 to under-14 junior barrel race in 16.5sec. Amanda, who won the women’s breakaway roping competition in a time of 2.9sec, also was announced the all-round cowgirl title for a four-rodeo series competition that was completed at Boyup Brook, taking home a saddle sponsored by Keegan Transport as her prize. Lucy is leading the ABCRA point standings for the title of all-round junior cowgirl for this year to back up her title from last year. “The Easter rodeo is a great family event, we (Oversby family) are all so proud to represent this great sport,” Amanda said. Alister said rodeo was a way to enjoy country life with his family. “Our kids have been brought up to respect country life and our farming animals and they have grown to appreciate the rodeo way of life,” he said. The Oversby family produce some of WA’s best quality mandarins at their Bindoon farm, as well as breeding some top-riding Quarter Horses. Other rodeo families to participate at Boyup Brook included Wade and Tenika McCarthy and their children Coby, 12, with Mason, 3, and Lachlan, 9, coming up the ranks. Wade won the bareback competition riding bucking horse JT to be awarded 70 points to keep alive his national campaign to win the ABCRA All-Round Cowboy this year. He was also awarded the four rodeo series all-round cowboy title at Boyup Brook, taking home a CD Dodd-sponsored saddle prize for his combined wins. Tenika placed fourth in the women’s barrel race in a time of 16.2sec, only 2sec off the pace of Muchea cowgirl Louise De Rosa, who won in 16sec, riding her Buckskin horse Hannah. Coby McCarthy was at his best in the 11 to under-14 steer ride, winning with a score of 72 points. He told the crowd, “thanks for coming and cheering us on”. Other rough stock riders performing at their best included Muchea cowboy Jack Collins, who won the saddle bronc competition on 75 points and Kimberley cowboy Jai Griffiths won the novice bull ride against 32 entries. Serpentine cowgirl Bella Gatto won the 14 to under-18 steer ride with a score of 72 points from the judges. Darling Downs cowboy Mark Maxwell won the rope and tie event on a score of 13.05sec just edging ahead of NSW cowboy Blayne Parkinson on 13.06sec. Collie cowgirl Freya Tomasini won the women’s steer undecorating competition, riding her horse Spinny Jo, in a time of 1.63sec., with Amanda Oversby the runner-up on 2.10sec. Double Barrel Entertainment rodeo promoter Mark Kestal said the third annual Easter rodeo was a great success with great support from the fans. “We are bringing the rodeo to the city with many great competitiors looking forward to The Muster Rodeo and Music Festival at the Claremont Showground on May 13,” he said.