The first ever Indigenous Rodeo Championships kicked off day 2 of the Gulf Country Frontier Days Festival in Burketown.
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Round one of the Indigenous Rodeo Championships saw Indigenous competitors take part in the Station Buck Jump, with plenty of thrills and spill for the crowd.
Some of Australia’s top Cowboy’s also warmed up for the weekend’s main event, with exhibition bull rides on powerful Brandenberg bucking bulls.
Festival CEO and Artistic Director Alec Doomadgee said the potty calf rides stole the show on day 1.
“The crowd went wild for the Potty Calf riders,” Mr Doomadgee said.
“Watching these young fellas from around the Gulf get together and have a go was pretty special. They are so enthusiastic for the sport.”
Indigenous dance groups from around Australia performed together with Native American dancers Sarah Ortegon and Kenneth Shirley, in a performance dedicated to unity among cultures.
Day 2 of the Gulf Country Frontier Days Festival concluded with performances by Australian music royalty Shane Howard, who was joined on stage by Australian country music superstar Troy Cassar-Daley.
Both artists have deep connections with the Gulf and joined on stage to sing the iconic ‘Solid Rock’ which Shane Howard wrote about the region.
He says he’s happy to be back on Country with the song he loves.
“I love the idea that it (Solid Rick) goes back to the country where it belongs," Shane said.
"It's bigger than me. It resides in Aboriginal memory.”
Day 3 of the Gulf Country Frontier Days Festival will see more Rodeo action, as the Indigenous Championships head to the pointy end of the competition.
