Rodeo school teaches cowboys how to tame bucking broncos

THERE are few sports more threatening to life and limb than straddling an angry bull or a bucking bronco in a rodeo.

A cowboy spurs his charge out of the chute at the Saddle Bronc Riding School in Attunga. Picture Peter Lorimer.

THERE are few sports more threatening to life and limb than straddling an angry bull or a bucking bronco in a rodeo.

That’s why more and more Aussie cowboys are signing up to rodeo schools to learn how to protect themselves.

Lincoln Smith, 21, in full flight at the Saddle Bronc Riding School in Attunga. Picture Peter Lorimer

A cowboy bites the bust hard at the Saddle Bronc Riding School in Attunga. Picture Peter Lorimer

School of hard knocks — a rider bites the dust at the Saddle Bronc Riding School in Attunga. Picture: Peter Lorimer.

When father-and-son saddle bronc duo Glenn and Luke Morgan held a clinic at Attunga, near Tamworth, recently, 15 riders paid $300 each to learn everything they could from the Australian champions.

The riders ranged from ­beginners to seasoned competitors who wanted to refine their skills, among them Lincoln Smith, 21, who travelled 740km from Wagga Wagga to attend the clinic.

“Glenn is the best and if you want to be the best then you learn from the best,” he said.

The first day of the school begins with theory, then it’s off to see if the students have learned the fundamentals.

A cowboy rides high in the saddle

Hayden Gleeson, 17, no longer in the saddle

And if any rider gets bucked off, whether they last the distance or not, it’s a case of getting straight back in to the saddle for the next ride.

Hayden Gleeson, 17, had never stepped into a rodeo ring until he attended the school.

“I’m going to keep going until I get it right because I want to compete as soon as possible,” he said.

Four of the youngest riders at the clinic had between them sustained 10 major injuries ­including a fractured spine, broken legs, wrists, collar bones and ribs, as well as a split tibia.

“That’s why we are here. To learn more so we don’t get ­injured plus you want to be the best you can be,” said Blue Mountains horse rider Jason Carlin.

The pick up man at the Saddle Bronc Riding School in Attunga had to work overtime looking after the young cowboys. Picture Peter Lorimer

A cowboy spurs his charge out of the chute at the Saddle Bronc Riding School in Attunga. Picture Peter Lorimer.