SEVEN-year-old Cade Ferguson announced himself as one of the strongest up and coming rodeo cowboys at September’s Australasian Team Roping Association National Finals.
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The Cloncurry product was crowned the new Australian seven years and under champion for barrel racing with horse D-Mac at Capella’s September 11-14 titles.
Cade follows in a strong family tradition in the sport, being the younger brother of Australian representative Kolt.
“We are happy with his result and will support him as far as he wants to go in the sport, but at the end of the day, we just want Cade to do what makes him happy,” mother Kylee Ferguson said.
“It’s hard to compare both Cade and Kolt at this age, but I think Cade is more fearless at his age than Kolt was.”
“At this stage, both of the boys prefer the rough stock events but are more naturally talented in the timed events.”
Cade’s father Colin Ferguson continued on from a very successful year in the regional competitions by claiming two Australian High Point championships for the season.
The high point awards are accumulative points gained through the year finishing on June 30 each year, but presented at the Australian Championships.
Cloncurry continued its strong form at the championships as Brandee Ferguson lost in a rope off (for the Australian title) to Amber Patterson in the No.2 and under junior team roping.
The whole North West region announced itself as one of the strongest rodeo area’s in the country, with 25 competitors from Cloncurry, Mount Isa, Julia Creek and Richmond making up the majority of the team.
This is the biggest team sent away by this region in recent years, highlighting the growth of the sport.
“Team roping is one of the fastest growing sports in Australia because the whole family can be involved,” Kylee Ferguson said.
“People are attracted to the sport because children can compete with their parents and grandparents in the team roping events.”
The region also had Darcy Harrison, Brandee Ferguson, Cade Ferguson, Kelly-Jo Litchfield, Steven Vohland and Lane Currie all awarded high points runner-up in their respective events.
Adding to the success, Mount Isa’s Katrina Rutherfurd and her horse Credit were awarded the 2D Barrel Racing Championship Award Buckle.
In the junior looper competition, Cloncurry’s Bronzen Mara was awarded the encouragement award – against very competitive and much older competitors.
