Former cyclist now out of saddle

Cowboy Nathan Keown, of Gore, flies off his bronc during the Maniototo Rodeo open bareback division yesterday. Photos by Gregor Richardson.
Cowboy Nathan Keown, of Gore, flies off his bronc during the Maniototo Rodeo open bareback division yesterday. Photos by Gregor Richardson.
The crowd watches the action on a hot and blustery afternoon.
The crowd watches the action on a hot and blustery afternoon.

For ex-New Zealand cyclist Matt Vermunt, of Dunedin, road bikes and bucking horses are two very different beasts.

Matt Vermunt.
Matt Vermunt.
''From Lycra to chaps, they don't have much in common.''

The bareback bronc rider competed in the open section of the second Maniototo Rodeo yesterday. He rose to the grade only the previous day, after winning the second division at the Millers Flat Rodeo.

After five years in the sport, he was ''up against the big boys'', he said.

''I've always had that competitive streak in me. I was a sprint cyclist, but then I gave that up and went farming and got in with this crowd.''

He planned to ''make a ride of it'' and was hoping to place, but was one of many to be thrown before the 8sec mark and disqualified.

Strong gusts at the event yesterday did not really impact his riding, he said.

''It just affects the crowd probably, getting dust in their eyes.''

He had been hurt more cycling than in rodeos, but admitted battling broncs was more likely to lead to injury.

The ex-Invercargill man rode in New Zealand's junior road cycling team as a teenager.

Maniototo Rodeo Club president Jeremy Hore said ''strong stock'' meant there were no winners in the bull ride.

It was the second consecutive day the animals had triumphed, after they flung off all competitors at Millers Flat the previous day.

With a crowd of 800 to 1000 people, attendance was not affected ''too much'' by the wind, he said. The inaugural event last year attracted up to 1200 people.

''We didn't have too many injuries and none to stock, so the vet wasn't needed,'' Mr Hore said.

Paul Robinson won the saddle bronc and Rhondie Long won the barrel race.

jono.edwards@odt.co.nz

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