Mackay’s bullriding prodigy holds own against world’s best

Forty seconds, a grip of steel and a $70,000 pay off. Not bad for 10 days work

Forty seconds, a grip of steel and a $70,000 pay off.

Not bad for 10 days work but for Mackay rodeo prodigy Ky Hamilton, it's not quite as good as he wanted at the 2020 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

But anyone who knows the sport, and for those outside the arena, being pit against the best in the US and holding their own is an impressive feat and one that makes Hamilton's mum back in Mackay incredibly proud.

"He says to me, 'but mum, I haven't done anything yet, you have to wait until I do something big'," Sharell Hamilton said.

"We're extremely proud but it goes beyond pride when you see your kid working hard and then achieving these things."

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Strapping in for his round one ride on Standard Tuesday, Hamilton hung on for the eight and notched 90 points, winning him second place and $20,731.

On Crossfire Cowboy in the second round, Hamilton earned fourth place and $11,846 before a buck-out in the third round.

 

 

 

Round four and five again brought a point-earning ride on Director's Assistant (87.5 points) and Nose Bender (88 points), respectively, and a $15,654 prize win for each round.

Hamilton rode House of Pain in round nine for 83.5 points and $6769.

And when considering the wealth of talent needed for the NFR - the school of some of the best cowboys in the US and the world - it's an incredible feat in what has been a trying year.

"It's a mental game," Sharell said.

"He's got a passion for it and there's no stopping it."

The NFR takes the top 15 in each sport, with Hamilton lining up in the bullriding as number two and ultimately finishing fourth.

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This year held in Arlington, Texas instead of the traditional Las Vegas, Hamilton rose to the challenge and is now working towards his next goal: PBR.

"He will have a break over Christmas but with the physical and mental training, there's really no days off," Sharell said.

 

 

"There's competitions he's already nominated for.

"They're the (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) at this stage.

"He still has college and is still on his scholarship where he's done two years and is going into his third.

"His coach is amazing and realises that Ky's whole passion is bullriding but he still has to do his school classes."

But with the lure of the Professional Bull Riders arena in his sights, and a natural talent for a sport that takes guts, determination and dedication, it might just be a few years yet before Hamilton takes up a job in industrial design.

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