Australian Rodeo Legend heads for Dalby National Rodeo Finals!
Hailing from a family deeply entrenched in rodeo and western pleasure, Colin’s involvement in the sport has always been a family tradition. His father Hilton was Australasian Buckjump Champion in 1931 followed by elder brother Kevin who won Australian titles in buckjump riding, bareback riding and bullock riding, while brother Max won many state titles in rough stock and timed events.
Colin first started competing in 1953 and entered his last rodeo ride in 1979 claiming five Australian titles and many state titles during his illustrious rodeo career. Younger brother Bruce was a good all rounder who won a lot of state titles also.
When asked, 'How has rodeo changed today from when you first started?' Col recalls, “Rodeo has changed a lot over the years. When I first started, the arena’s were as big as the campdraft arenas and very hard; there were no ploughed up or sand filled arena’s in those days. Now there are better conditions for livestock and competitors, they have smaller arena’s, which are either ploughed or sand filled and contract stock has also seen a big improvement for the welfare of animals used in rodeo.”
Colin’s heroes during his earlier competitive years were Bernie Smythe Sr, Alan Bennett, Alan Woods and his brother Kevin McTaggart.
When asked ‘Do you have any advice or tips for young rodeo competitors competing in rodeo today?’ Colin responded, “I think the young wannabes of today have a great advantage over us when we first started riding, competitors today have the choice of professional instructors who run schools to get them started the correct way and advise them on the right equipment to use.”
As we draw closer to this weekend’s National Rodeo Finals, Col says, “To qualify for the National Rodeo Finals is a great achievement and a bonus for competitors who put a lot of effort into their yearly competition. It is a great honour to win a national title.”
In addition to his duties as Rodeo Manager for the National Rodeo Council of Australia (NRCA) National Rodeo Finals event, Colin recently introduced another great add-on event to the show with the Unique Horseman Australian Colt Starting Challenge.
Col says, “For a lot of years I have held the belief that we have many great horsemen and women in Australia which is why we started the Unique Horseman competition to showcase their skills to the public. My daughter Kim McTaggart will run the overall Challenge and I will be there to support her wherever I can. This year there is a great line-up of Legend Horsemen and Young Guns, (6) six in total who will be handling unbroken horses with their own individual styles and techniques while (3) judges watch and score each of them over (3) three days.
Widely praised for his dedication and commitment to the sport of rodeo and revered by his piers and the younger generation alike; Col McTaggart is a true gentleman of the sport and a one of a kind truly unique Australian Cowboy!
NRCA Chairman set to announce at this weekends National Rodeo Finals in Dalby.
Photo courtesy EB Photography
Chairman of the National Rodeo Council and rodeo announcer to many a rodeo committee, Pat Staines has long been involved in the world of Australian rodeo.
Having attended his first rodeo in 1974 at an SEQRA event (South East Queensland Rodeo Association) held at Brymaroo in Queensland, Pat at this point was relatively inexperienced in rodeo riding other than mustering horses. It was here when he decided to enter into the junior steer ride and was hooked from that moment on.
He moved on to ride saddle bronc horses and steer wrestle in the early days and only ever competed in the amateur circuit. Pat admits he was no great cowboy, but enjoyed the rodeo scene and the people involved.
Pat later went into the timed event side of the arena and started competing in the rope and tie event. He lightheartedly recalls having an old mate who used to go to quite a few rodeos and watch him compete and only just recently, he had a laugh to Pat and said, “I’ve only ever seen you catch your calf once!”
During his years in rodeo there was one particular cowboy he thoroughly enjoyed watching ride, Ray Herman. Pat commented, ‘Every time I saw that man ride, he just blew me away!”
In 1992, Pat’s keen interest in the sport moved him into another role in rodeo and while trying his hand at rodeo announcing, he found he had the gift of the gab, which has kept him connected to the sport for the past 23 years.
With Pat’s increased involvement, he later moved into the executive side of rodeo, which saw him take the position of Vice-president of the Queensland Rodeo Association for 8 years, moving on to take the President’s role for a further 5 years.
With his experience in the industry Pat progressed onto the esteemed role of Chairman of the National Rodeo Council of Australia having held the position now for the past several years.
When asked who his idols were in the sport, Pat recalls, “The most talked about cowboys around the dinner camp were the McPhee boys. Back in the early days the only literature we got on rodeo was the old Hoofs and Horns magazine and every time we opened this up the McPhee boys were in there.”
Fresh back from a stint of announcing and promotions in the Northern Territory Pat is keen to get back to this week’s National Rodeo Finals to be held in Dalby 30th October – 1st November.
When asked What does the National Rodeo Finals bring to the rodeo industry, Pat responds, “The event helps bring together competitors from a number of different rodeo associations to compete in the one arena. An example of this would be competitors from the NCA up in the Northern Territory, this would be the only time of year we would see them and it is great to have them come down and participate and hopefully walk away with some buckles.”
Pat’s role during the finals will be to announce the timed events alongside Aaron Ryan who will be announcing the rough stock events. Pat will also be announcing for the Unique Horseman Colt Starting Challenge and will assist with the management of the event over the weekend.
Pat has proved to be a true supporter of rodeo!
Rodeo Spotlight Shines on Dalby!
All roads lead to Dalby, Qld this month when some of Australia's fiercest rodeo competitors descend on the Darling Downs for the 2015 NRCA National Rodeo Finals.
Held over two nights on Friday and Saturday, October 30-31, the final will bring together some of the nation's finest competitors from each of the traditional rodeo disciplines for a spectacular weekend of thrills and spills.
Over $30,000 in prize money will be up of grabs, along with a range of prized GIST buckles and most importantly, proud rights as a 2015 NRCA National Rodeo Finals champion.
Competition categories include: open bull ride, open saddle bronc ride, open bareback ride, team roping, steer wrestling, rope and tie, ladies' breakaway roping, ladies' barrel race, junior barrel race, junior bull ride, junior bareback ride, junior breakaway and the exciting addition of the junior pony ride featuring stock contractor Frank Biddle’s miniature bucking ponies comprising some of our up and coming young cowboys.
All of the night action will be complimented by The Unique Horseman Australian Colt Starting Challenge; the challenge will be staged from 8.30am to 3pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday 30th October-1st November. Visit the website theuniquehorseman.com.au
National Rodeo Council of Australia Director, Colin McTaggart said: "We're also thrilled to add a sensational new event this year with a Bucking Bull Futurity to be added to the program 9am on Sunday morning on completion of the National Rodeo Finals event and just prior to the final day of The Unique Horseman competition.”
In addition to all of the planned events throughout the weekend, there will also be a Country and Western Trade Fair supported by a whole range of exhibitors and food vendors.
Comedy acts will entertain the crowds during the night programs while Mik Oberle will perform live on the Saturday night from 10pm to cap off a great weekend of rodeo action plus there will be rides for the kids.
Rodeo queen fans won't be disappointed either with the newly crowned 2016 Rodeo Queen of Australia Miss Latoya Wards making special guest appearances, throughout the weekend.
No rodeo finals would be complete without a good selection of the nation's rankest bucking stock. This year's finals will be no different and will feature a pen of the fiercest bulls Australia can muster as well as some of the wildest bucking broncs in the country.
National Rodeo Council of Australia Chairman Pat Staines said, "We would once again like to thank the town of Dalby for their wonderful support in facilitating our organisation in staging this event and encourage rodeo and sports fans alike to come along in October to experience the thrills and atmosphere of a top notch rodeo event."
The town of Dalby has been chosen as the home of the NRCA National Rodeo Finals due to the outstanding venue facilities which includes undercover seating for spectators along with its prime location and access to major highways.
No event could ever be a success, let alone get off the ground, without the support of dedicated sponsors and the NRCA especially thanks the following major sponsors: Western Trading Company, Channel 7, Dalby Herald, Wangrah Wilderness Lodge, Rodeo Services Association, Western Downs Regional Council and HotFM.
The all-inclusive ticket to the event includes entry to the National Rodeo Finals, The Unique Horseman and the Country and Western Trade Fair. Ticket Prices: Adults $25/day, Children u/16 & Aged Pensioners $10/day & Family Passes (2x Adults AND 2x Children OR 2x Aged Pensioners) $60/day. All tickets include both events day/night sessions per day and can be pre-purchased online at eventbrite.com.au (key national rodeo finals into search) or can be purchased at the gate on arrival.
For further information regarding the event or if you are a business wishing to sponsor or hold a trade stand, please contact head office on 02 6737 3777 or email: enquire@nationalrodeocouncil.com.au
Tickets are available online at www.nationalrodeocouncil.com.au or directly via our facebook page.
Media inquiries: National Rodeo Council of Australia: phone 02 6737 3777; email enquire@nationalrodeocouncil.com.au
ABOUT NATIONAL RODEO COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA (NRCA)
National Rodeo Council of Australia (NRCA) is the first organisation made up and run by a united body of rodeo associations nationally. Formed in 1992 to further the sport of rodeo, the National Rodeo Council of Australia provides assistance to members in administration, securing and managing a national annual insurance scheme, training and safety programs, animal welfare and up to date government regulations and policies. The role of the NRCA is to work alongside each member Association to actively promote the sport of rodeo in Australia. Each year a National Finals event is conducted bringing together the top riders from each of the member Associations creating a 'Truly Unique' Australian National Finals event.
