Northern triumph to claim $11,000 Cape of Origin purse

Ky Borghero flies high on Willy Mack during an 84-point winning effort that thrilled the big Andoom Oval crowd during the open bull ride on Saturday night. Photo: Lyndon Keane.

While he fell just a point short of claiming the open bull ride, Braydon Wellby can now cross captaining a winning Cape of Origin team off his to-do list after he led Northern to a comprehensive victory at the 2024 Weipa Rodeo on Saturday night.

Wellby’s team demolished the Southern and Central competition with 226.1 points to hand the pro rider his first taste of Cape of Origin success at his third attempt in front of a big crowd at Andoom Oval.

Southern, led by Ky Borghero, finished in second spot with 159.1 points, while the Anthony Ryan-skippered Central claimed the bronze on place on 88.1 points.

Kowanyama cowboys Jyrett David, Tristan Bally, Tennison Paul and Michael Burke prepare to compete on Saturday afternoon. Photo: Lyndon Keane.

Suzy Taske and Sophie Beaumont. Photo: Lyndon Keane.

The Weipa Rodeo protection athletes put their bodies on the line as they work to free Jake Simpson after the cowboy got caught up on Drover’s Dream during round two of the open bull ride. Photo: Lyndon Keane.

Lesleigh Ross and Krystal Budby prepare to find their spot in the Andoom Oval grandstand. Photo: Lyndon Keane.

Caleb Sheahan spent much of his eight-second ride airborne during the mini bull competition on day two of the rodeo. Photo: Lyndon Keane.

Kerry Callope puts in a big effort during the women’s steer wrestling. Photo: Lyndon Keane.

Ashlee Scarcella and Jeremy Stainkey had one of the best seats in the house for day two of the rodeo. Photo: Lyndon Keane.

Dan O’Connor puts on a show for saddle bronc fans at the second night of the 2024 Weipa Rodeo. Photo: Lyndon Keane.

Dan Tonon looks way too pleased with himself after successfully scruffing a calf during the Ringer’s Ironman Challenge on Saturday afternoon. Photo: Lyndon Keane.

Braydon Wellby shows the crowd why he is one of the most respected bull riders in the country as he rides time on Spider on Saturday night. Photo: Lyndon Keane.

Cory Jeremy and Monica Dalglish. Photo: Lyndon Keane.

Competitors and spectators from across Cape York converged on Weipa for the 19th anniversary rodeo on 23-24 August.

Chrystian Perceval and Maia Stone got to Andoom Oval early on Saturday to get a good seat. Photo: Lyndon Keane.

Christine van Pelt sets her sights on the final barrel during her 19.749 second run in the novice barrel race. Photo: Lyndon Keane.

Jasmine Scikluna had the crowd cheering with a 17.942 second run during the novice barrel racing. Photo: Lyndon Keane.

Josh Lennon, Rachel Scane, Dwayne Walker, Maggie Fisher and Ryan Jorrance. Photo: Lyndon Keane.

Mary Singleton and Brett Anderson catch up before the day two excitement gets under way. Photo: Lyndon Keane.

Angie White and Mariana Rakuraku came to check out the rodeo while working on the Archer River bridge project. Photo: Lyndon Keane.

Caleb Sheahan, Shane Dyer and Ezra Donovan. Photo: Lyndon Keane.

Borghero reversed the roles in the showcase $5,000 open bull ride with an 84-point winning ride on Willy Mack, with Wellby almost snatching the prizemoney after the judges awarded him 83 points for his effort on Spider.

More than 3,000 people converged on the final night of the 19th anniversary edition of the rodeo to watch Darren George, Jake Simpson and Caleb Sheahan dominate the novice bull, mini bull and open bullock events, while Jasmin Scikluna and Dan O’Connor where in classes of their own when cattle were swapped for horses in the arena in the barrel racing and saddle bronc events.

Weipa Rodeo Association president Reuben Slingo hailed the event an overwhelming success with almost 300 rides, including on several bulls that had previously never had someone on their back for eight seconds.

“Our nineteenth event was a huge success with 280 rides, [with] some bulls never having been ridden to time before,” he said.

“We couldn’t be happier with how the weekend went.

“We had huge numbers through the gates and it was awesome to see so many people loving the rodeo; the grounds looked amazing with the extra grandstand for additional seating and slab for the new bar.”

The dust may have barely settled on this year’s rodeo, but Mr Slingo said the committee was already gearing up to ensure the 2025 instalment – the event’s 20th anniversary – would be one to remember.

“We are always thinking on what comes next and excited about our twentieth anniversary event next year,” he said.

“It’s a huge milestone and be sure we will celebrate it in style with the Weipa community.”

Ranch Kitty sends cowboy Corey Clarke on his way during round two of the 2024 Weipa Rodeo open bull ride at Andoom Oval on 24 August. Photo: Lyndon Keane.

2024 Weipa Rodeo Cape of Origin teams

Northern
Captain’s bull ride: Braydon Wellby; open bull ride: Alfred Bond; novice bull ride: Darren George; saddle bronc: Phillip Port; barrel race: Summer van Pelt; ladies bullock ride: Michaela Smith-Hart; mini bull ride: Matty Prychidczuk

Southern
Captain’s bull ride: Anthony Ryan; open bull ride: Jake Simpson; novice bull ride: Hayden Moss; saddle bronc: Dan O’Connor; barrel race: Jasmine Scikluna; ladies bullock ride: Clare Parry; mini bull ride: Caleb Sheahan

Central
Captain’s bull ride: Ky Borghero; open bull ride: Craig Gibson; novice bull ride: Tennison Paul; saddle bronc: Jack Papworth; barrel race: Charlotte Barrett; ladies bullock ride: Hallie Jenkins; mini bull ride: William Hudson

Rodney Brett gets some air during the second round of the men’s steer wrestling event. Photo: Lyndon Keane.

2024 Weipa Rodeo results

Open bull ride
1: Ky Borghero 84 points; 2: Braydon Wellby 83 points

Novice bull ride
1: Darren George 76 points; 2: Jake Simpson 66 points; 3: Damien Charger 65 points

Mini bull ride
1: Caleb Sheahan 70 points; 2: Matty Prychidczuk 54 points

Open bullock ride
1: Jake Simpson 77 points; 2: Craig Gibson 66 points; 3: Damien Charger 65 points

Ladies bullock ride
1: Michaela Smith-Hart 56 points

Junior bullock ride
1: Caleb Sheahan 70 points; 2: Clayton Hudson 69 points; 3: Shane Dyer, Kaleb Stein (tie) 67 points

Poddy ride
1: Liam McFarlane 33 points

Saddle bronc
1: Dan O’Connor 73 points

Bushman’s buckjump
1: Anthony Savo, Jai Christie (tie) 58 points

Novice barrel race
1: Jasmine Scikluna 17.94s; 2: Jasmine Scikluna 18.89s; 3: Cristine van Pelt 19.47s

Junior barrel race
1: Summer van Pelt 19.32s; 2: Summer van Pelt 21.15s; 3: Kayla-Ruth Barton 21.66s

Men’s steer wrestling
1: Jilibalu Riley 10.67s; 2: Clancy Gordon 18.64s

Ringers Ironman Challenge
1: Leit Ballart and Jilibalu Riley 36.64s; 2: Jai Christie and Nik Clegg 45.96s