The ground was surprisingly soft for 9-year-old George McFadzien, of Ferndale, as he could not quite keep his hold atop a 250kg steer at the recent Lawrence rodeo.
It was George’s second time participating in the novice steer-riding competition in a real rodeo arena and he has no plans to give up any time soon.
After watching his local rodeo in Mataura a couple of years ago, George’s father Cameron McFadzien said his son saw there was an opportunity for young people to have a go in the main arena.
‘‘I didn’t see why he couldn’t give it a crack. There’s worse things he could be doing with his time.’’
George attends Gore Main Primary School and lives on a sheep and dairy farm near Mataura with his family, which includes three sisters.
Mr McFadzien said George getting involved in rodeo had been a welcome addition to the family’s activity list.
‘‘It’s a bit different to pony club, that’s for sure.’’
George said he started practising in the yards, where the ground was a lot harder, and he had gone to a friend’s place where there was an arena.
George had to get his own safety vest, helmet, gloves and mouth guard to compete.
Mr McFadzien said all the children were pleasantly surprised by how soft the ground was when they hit the dirt. And they all inevitably hit the dirt.
George said he enjoyed the sport for the thrill of the ride, and it was a good challenge.
Hearing the cheers from he crowd watching also kept him keen.
After taking part in his first rodeo, George was excited to share it at news time at school but some of his friends had been there watching and they shared it before him.
‘‘They all think it’s pretty cool,’’ Mr McFadzien said.
-By Alice Scott
