Eileen Ostwald wins steer wrestling at Robbie Robbins Reserve rodeo

History was made at the Robbie Robbins Reserve with a woman becoming the first in the country to win one of the toughest rodeo events. Watch the thrilling video.

A long-time cowgirl made history at the Robbie Robbins Reserve at the weekend becoming the first woman in the country to win the incredibly tough Steer Wrestling event.

In front of more than 3000 people, Eileen Ostwald showed her stuff being the only one from a field of three to successfully catch and tackle her steer.

Steer wrestling is a rodeo event where a rider drops from their horse and wrestles a steer to the ground by grabbing its horns and pulling it off balance so it falls to the ground.

Steer wrestlers can get a place if they successfully tackle a steer to the ground with the winner determined by time.

Ms Ostwald, known as Leeny, first arrived Down Under from Germany as a backpacker and became Australia’s first female steer wrestler about 10 years ago after meeting her now husband Johno Ostwald.

She’s been in the scene now for a long time travelling the country and at one stage competed in 17 rodeos across consecutive weeks to set her best time at a very competitive 5.6 seconds.

Eileen Ostwald ahead of her steer wrestling win at the Robbie Robbins Reserve. Picture: David Bradley

And at the weekend, she made history once again becoming the first woman to win the event.

It was a surreal moment for the cowgirl who noted the achievement wasn’t just for her, but also for a close friend who had died a month prior.

“I got lucky and caught my steer and got off really well and then pulled down,” Ms Ostwald said.

“I lost my feet a little bit and walked with the steer, then I sort of had to go backward a little bit and then just thought I would give it a crack and threw it on the ground to get a time.

“It’s a bit surreal in a way, my friend passed away about a month ago and it was an achievement knowing she would have loved that and was watching down.”

With her weekend win, she’s in prime position to take out the entire series needing only to place on August 19 to win the comp.

What she has been particularly proud of is getting the opportunity to show young girls aspiring to get into the rodeo scene that they can compete.

To be part of and compete in such a well-run rodeo is very fun and very enjoyable particularly with all these good cowgirls and cowboys there as well,” she said.

“I’m quite keen on getting new people interested in the sport to come down and have a go and know it doesn’t matter what your gender is.

“If you’ve given it a good go, have a bit of fun and learn from the right people you can achieve a lot of things, it’s just about taking that first step.”

Originally published as Eileen Ostwald wins steer wrestling at Robbie Robbins Reserve rodeo