The Northern Cape team receive their winning buckles on Saturday night.
A STRONG team performance by the Northern Cape lifted the home side to victory in the second annual Cape of Origin event on Saturday night.
Led by team captain Donovan Rutherfurd, already an Australian champion at just the age of 24, the Northern Cape produced top scores in a range of events to claim the buckle.
Rutherfurd scored 89 points for his eight-second ride aboard Off The Chain. He said he was happy with the score.
“Bloody oath I am,” he said with a grin.
“I’m happy to stay on anything, I reckon!”
Rutherfurd, who missed out on riding at his hometown Mount Isa Rodeo the week prior, said success at Weipa eased the pain.
“I was busy working and forgot to nominate. I thought they might let me in but they didn’t give me a chance,” he said.
Rutherfurd instead rode at the Cloncurry Merry Muster a week before the Isa and flew to Brisbane for a mid-week exhibition event.
Northern Cape team captain Donovan Rutherfurd, an Australian champion and Kalkadoon man from Mount Isa, was stoked with his Weipa ride.
He said riding in Weipa was as fun as any other event and that he relished the chance to be more hands-on behind the chutes with other riders.
“These community rodeos are the best. They are great fun and everyone enjoys themselves,” he said.
“I’ve got some family here and I’ll spend a few more days here … hopefully do a bit of fishing.”
Rutherfurd went for a sneaky flick on Saturday morning and caught a couple of decent sized barramundi prior to the rodeo.
Also lifting the Northern Cape was the performance of young gun Ky Borghero, who at 17 is making waves on the circuit.
Weipa Camping Ground’s Brooke Quartermaine won the open barrel race and was delighted with the team prize.
“I’m 40 and have been going to rodeos my whole life and this is the first buckle I’ve ever won!”
WEIPA RODEO RESULTS
Poddy Ride
1st: Joseph Jackson
Mini Bull
1st: Matty Prychidczuk
Junior Bullock
1st: Clayton Hudson
2nd: Jahral Booth
3rd: Corey Clarke
Women’s Bullock
1st: Hallie Jenkins
Open Bullock
1st: Jake Simpson
2nd: Trevor Callope
3rd: Corey Clarke
Saddle Bronc
1st: Damien Mason
Novice Bull
1st: Jackson Stockman
2nd: Corey Clarke
Steer Wrestling – Men
1st: Clancy Gordon
2nd: Toby Gordon
Steer Wrestling – Women
1st: Ryleigh Wone
2nd: Rachael Gordon
Whip Cracking
1st: Will Rusis
Open Bull
1st: Ky Borghero
2nd: Donovan Rutherfurd
3rd: Braydon Wellby
Junior Barrel Race
1st: Jasmine Scikluna
2nd: Jasmine Scikluna
3rd: Kayla Ruth Barton
Open Barrel Race
1st: Brooke Quartermaine
2nd: Charlotte Berrett
3rd: Brooke Quartermaine
