General News
14 August, 2024
Long drive from Territory pays off for Katherine cowboy
It was Jed Farrington's first appearance at the Mount Isa Rodeo.
Northern Territory cowboy Jed Farrington saw the Mount Isa Indigenous rodeo promoted on Facebook and hastily arranged a practice ride at a mate’s place before driving 1300km across the Queensland border to compete.
Now he returns to Katherine with the buckle for the Indigenous rodeo bull ride.
The 20-year-old mechanic marked 71 points in his first ride at Mount Isa, which secured him first place in the bull ride competition as well as a spot on the Australian Indigenous team that challenged the invitational New Zealand Maori Team in the inaugural Trans-Tasman Challenge.
“I won a few buckles in the junior ranks and now I am just getting into the novice and open events – this is my first big win,” Farrington told North West Weekly.
“I drove all the way down here from Katherine – it’s my first Mount Isa Rodeo – I’m just very bloody happy to be here and taking home a buckle.
“With all the time and effort you put into the sport, it’s just really good when it feels like it’s all been worth it.”
The Eliza Jungerboi (Martin) man was unfortunately unable to repeat his earlier success of the night against the Maori team and did not make the eight seconds.
The New Zealand team took home the Trans-Tasman trophy after securing a 4-3 win in head-to-head victories across the open rodeo events – bull ride, saddle bronc, bareback, rope and tie, breakaway roping, team roping, steer wrestling and barrel race.