This ride was more about the event than the actual ride, however it's always a pleasure to ride the roads leading to Taralga. The Taralga Australia Day Rodeo, held annually, was an excellent experience and we'd do it again one day.
The group met at Maccas Eastern Creek for a coffee before heading off up the motorway over the mountains to Hampton.
Map
As per usual, our first rest break was at the Hampton Hotel which has recently been taken over by a very ambitious couple who have begun renovating the place and have big and exciting plans for the hotel. The place now has a separate cafe and they are opening up the back verandah so that patrons have a great view over the valley while dining or simply having a drink or two. The accommodation is also going through some improvements and they will also be offering 4WD tours down in to the valley where not many people get to see and appreciate.
Not quite finished, but already it looks so much more inviting.
Here, we meet up with Andrew in Oberon.
On our way down to Taralga we are once again met with this scene. Cath and I encountered the same thing in the same stretch of road back in May of last year and I dare say, it's the same farmers, who turn out to be Andrew's neighbours by the way.
You just have to love the country when you see this type of thing.
We got through the flock but then just had to stop for another pic from the other side.
Just up the road, we find this roo sun baking in the middle of the road. A very dangerous practice.
But along rode Ed.
And politely asked him to move so that he wouldn't be hit by on coming vehicles.
Here we are, riding away from the sheep.
Andrew stops us outside his property just out of town.
We arrive in Taralga early afternoon and park our bikes in the shelter provided.
Just in time for lunch. We seem to eat alot on our trips don't we?
Cathy opted for the half cow, chips and veges.
Unless you have Telstra service on your mobile, you have no service, so this is the only option, if you remember how to use it that is. Gday Allan!
The lovely Taralga Hotel, well known for it's great atmosphere and huge meals.
Ed just wanted a simple lunch of bangers and mash but almost fell off his chair when this came out.
After lunch we made our way to the show ground to see what was happening at the rodeo, but there were just a few heats and it was pretty quiet so we only stayed a while and a storm came through and made a mess of things so we headed back to the pub for a drink or three.
Before we knew it, it was time for dinner. Bloody hell, we do eat a lot on our trips.
Just as well the cattle are raised locally, or they'd run out of steaks.
I've seen the mixed grill ordered by people a few times but never seen them finished. Graham (on the right) got himself in to a battle with a gentleman on the next table to see if either could finish the whole meal.
Well, the big fella did us proud but the other guy finished his as well.
They have recently built a wind farm on the outskirts of town. Ed took this pic on sun rise.
The Taralga Hotel, one of our favourite pubs.
I just love this little town.
The town is tiny, but they still had signs showing the way.
The fee was just $25 a head for the whole 3 days and it supports the local community.
So many beautiful horses. (I'm referring to the the hairy brown one)
Inside, we find this mechanical bucking bull ride.
My girl goes first.
Hi Cath! Hang on, is she waiving or what?
Oh hang on, here she goes.
What style.
Here she hops off to give others a chance.
Right now, Tracey's thinking "why the hell do they make these things so bloody high?"
Hi Trace!
Why is she waiving?
And her elegant, lady like dismount.
Not to be out done, Carol jumps on. And in a skirt!!!!
Ride em cow girl.
Ok, she's had enough.
Finally it's Ed;s turn. Hi Ed.
Oh shit, hang on mate.
Here, he hops off and does a Russian dance. Show off!
We had a fair bit of rain the previous night so there was work to be done to the arena to help dry it up in order to avoid injury to the animals in the events. The rodeo started a couple of hours late but caught up just after lunch due to the excellent work of the organisers.
It doesn't get more country than this.
Couldn't resist taking a pic of these young cowboys.
This was the steer riding.
They are really rough and scary.
I don't know hoe they do it.
But then, out come the bulls.
Alot larger.
You can hear them stomping on the ground, trying to throw the riders off.
This event involves lasooing a steer in the shortest time possible, while it runs like hell, away from you.
Just missed.
Another team has a try.
Yep, got him.
This is barrel racing, where the riders need to lead their horse around the course in the shortest time possible.
As you can see, the competitors can be quite young but very talented.
The working sheep dog trials were also running throughout the day.
These dogs are so well trained and loyal.
They also had an event called "Man verses Bike verses Horse"
They line up a horse and rider, a motorcycle and a runner to race around a barrel and back.
The race was much closer between the three than you'd think, but the motorcycle won this year.
Next up, it was the bucking broncos.
Not as "violent" as the bull riding but much quicker.
Here a rider prepares to hop on the saddle with one pissed off bronco beneath it.
And off he goes.
To stay on these animals,it must take some serious strength and bravery.
Let's not forget the young riders of the future. How cute is this kid?
The sun had some bite to it but Andrew was kind enough to provide some fold up chairs in the shade along with an eski of cool beverages in ice. what a top bloke.
Cheers! The young lady in pink is Andrew's daughter Evelyn, who has her own horse and was competing on the next day, Australia Day.
Here she is with her beautiful chestnut.
Later in the afternoon, the action was heating up in the final heats. This event not only involves riding one angry horse, but just to make it exciting, the rider gets extra points by cracking a whip while hanging on for dear life.
Either very brave or bloody insane, you decide.
And if the rodeo wasn't exciting enough for you yet, along comes the steer wrestling.
Missed him by that much.
So in this event, the rider gets timed to chase an angry cow, then jump off a speeding horse and finally grab the bull by the horns and tackle him to the ground, I'm like "what the hell ?"
Ok, so now to throw 200kg of beef to the ground.
Winner! The bull just lays there thinking wtf just happened?
Back to steer lassoing finals.
Angry killer bull riding finals.
After this bull threw the rider, he charged around the ring looking for someone to stomp on.
This bull was particularly large and angry.
The rodeo clowns did such a great job. I'm sure there would have been several ugly moments without them intervening.
Yet another rider gets thrown.
This event involves lassoing the steer then jumping off your horse and tying it's legs together with rope in the shortest possible time.
The finals of the bucking broncos.
Even after the rider is long gone, the bronco keeps kicking until the aids bring it under control.
These men are amazing athletes.
The pictures don't do the rodeo justice, but I managed to capture a few great action shots with my trusty little canon.
How "pissed off" does this bull look?
Let's wrestle another steer to the ground.
Yep, that'll do it.
As the rodeo was drawing to the end of the main competition day, the action was coming thick and fast. I don't think this guy meant to ride backwards.
Check out how severely these guys get thrown around.
This rider had his hand caught for a while, but walked a way simply rubbing his wrist.
The Taralga Rodeo is held on every Australia Day weekend and is well worth the experience. If you've never been to a rodeo, it is well worth the effort and reasonably short trip to Taralga.
You can see the quickest route, via Goulburn, here.
And for great pub accommodation in Taralga, click here.
