Midge Point’s Dittmann Bull Pit opens gates to professionals and amateurs alike
The Midge Point property has gone from barbed wire to cattle rail with a fully functional arena, a saloon-style bar and a grandstand with a total capacity for 3000 people.
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The $2.6 million complex has only been 11 months in construction but Jason Dittmann said the dream was many years in the making.
The huge grandstand looms over the arena with space to the side for corporate tents to host a whopping total of 3000 spectators.
Swinging saloon doors welcome patrons into a western style bar with a paddock dedicated to camping just a short stumble away.
Dittmann’s Bull Pit is set to put Midge Point on the national bull riders map hosting several PBR events a year.
But it’s not just professionals who will have the opportunity jump in the pit.
Mr Dittman will be putting on bull-riding training programs for children under the watchful gaze of his neighbour and 1998 World Champion bull rider Troy Dunn.
“In other sports like rugby, kids can go to academies and training, but you don’t really get that with bull riding,” Mr Dittmann said.
Troy Dunn believes the arena will be a “real boost” for the sport in Central Queensland and a great opportunity to hone the young talent in the area.
“It’s a good safe environment for the fellas to come and train,” Mr Dunn said.
“If you get off on the wrong foot, you can develop bad habits.
“It’s not like a bad habit when you swing a golf club.
“When you’re not in a controlled environment, you can revert back to those, and that can end badly.”
Mr Dunn said it was critical amateur bull riders increase their skillset incrementally and with proper guidance.
“Bull riding is like any other sport, you have to be athletic and disciplined, and on top of all that there‘s the feel of the bull,” he said.
“It takes years to learn, it took me four or five years before I could even compete in the opens amateur.”
The Bull Pit will have its grand opening on August 28.
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