He may not have many years of experience under his belt, but Hope Vale’s TJ Ford held his own at the ABCRA National Finals in Tamworth. Photo: Supplied.
After just one year of competing seriously, a junior Hope Vale bull rider can now say he has represented his community on the national stage.
Ten-year-old Tyson “TJ” Ford comfortably made his way into the 2024 Australian Bushmen’s Campdraft and Rodeo Association National Finals Rodeo held in Tamworth on 23-25 January after recording a stellar competitive season travelling across Queensland.
“I was proud of myself,” he said.
In the lead-up to his first national rodeo, TJ practiced every day, whether on an actual bull or on a bucking drum.
“There’s four bulls on our farm, we practice on the farm, and I ride six times,” he said.
“I [also] practice on a bucking drum.”
TJ competed in three rounds in the 8-U11 Mini Bull category, touching down for no score in his first attempt before coming back strong and riding time for two 65-point efforts in rounds two and three.
Mum Ashleigh Oberluter explained the top 15 junior cowboys, based on scores from competitions throughout the season, were invited to the national finals.
“Out of the national ladder, TJ was sitting in sixth,” she said.
“The last 12 months, we’ve really focused on making sure that we can get to as many events as we can to ensure that he can get as many points as possible, because we know that especially down south, there’s bigger competition and more events for kids to attend.
“It was just a matter of sacrificing and committing to the sport, making sure that he’s attending competitions and being involved, because every rodeo he’s placed in, he gets a certain amount of points that count towards a national standing.”
Ms Oberluter also thanked the many people who supported TJ in chasing his dream in the arena.
“We’re grateful for so many people, near and far, who supported us to get a young kid from Cape York to attend such a grand scale event; we were lucky enough to have Cooktown RSL and Hope Vale Congress supporting and sponsoring TJ to attend the finals,” she said.
“TJ has his eyes set on attending the World Mini Bull Riding Series in America in September this year; we will continue to fundraise to ensure no opportunity is missed.
“Although cowboys ride the bulls by themself, they’re carried by so many people supporting and wishing them nothing but success, a safe ride and a safe exit from the arena.”
After successfully making it to the national arena, TJ Ford now has his sights set on an international ride. Photo: Supplied.
