Brave 13-year-old competitor walked out of arena after being trampled by bull at Tabulam Rodeo

“You could tell, when she landed, that there was some sort of impact with the bull... she was attended immediately by the clowns, who were there to protect her. They were excellent”.

The 13 year-old girl was helped by some rodeo clowns after the fall and walked out of the ring on her own on Saturday, June 12, at Tabulam. Photo: Daniel Cohen - dcsportsphoto.com.au

A photographer at the Tabulam Campdraft and Rodeo on the weekend has recalled the circumstances in which a 13-year-old girl fell and was trampled by a bull.

The event was held on Saturday, June 12, at the Tabulam Racecourse as part of the Tabulam Campdraft on the weekend.

The teenager, a Kyogle resident, sustained chest and rib injuries and was flown to Lismore Base Hospital.

Jason Hall, chairman of the National Rodeo Association, said he had spoken to the girl’s parents on Tuesday and confirmed she had been released from hospital and was now recovering at home.

Mr Hall said the association was not the rodeo’s organiser, but the Tabulam committee was affiliated with his organisation.

Daniel Cohen, from DC Sports Photography, was at the rodeo taking images from his spot by the rails, and right next to the medics.

Mr Cohen said the rodeo started at around 5pm.

“It was busy, but it wasn’t over the top, it was a nice crowd, it was all part of the Tabulam Bonalbo Campdraft,” he said.

“According to the person I was working with, this was the first time they had the rodeo as part of the campdraft event.

“Tabulam campdraft handed over the proceedings to the rodeo organisers.”

The Richmond Valley resident said the girl was a competitor at the event.

“She was a bull rider. This was not an out-of-control animal, it was part of the competition,” he said.

“She came off to the right side of the bull.

“You need to stay on the back of the bull for eight seconds to register a score. She was on for maybe three or four. Not many of them stay on.”

Mr Cohen said the situation was not uncommon, and rodeo clowns were on hand to ensure the competitor’s safety.

“You could tell, when she landed, that there was some sort of impact with the bull,” he said.

“It looks like she was stepped on by the bull.

“She then rolled up, she was attended immediately by the clowns, who were there to protect her. They are excellent at what they do.

“One of them addressed her directly. The other two stayed in between her and any other potential danger.”

The photographer said the girl was escorted out of the arena by the clowns, and she walked by herself.

“Once she exited the arena she was bit a bit of pain and the event co-ordinator signalled the medics to attend to her,” he said.

Mr Cohen said despite the injuries — someone had a broken ankle earlier on the event, he said — the event was “wonderful”.

“It was really well, run and the campdraft meant there were other activities happening earlier.”

Tabulam Campdraft organisers and the National Rodeo Association were contacted for comment.