Some might say it was damp underfoot at the annual AgQuip Rodeo hosted by the Gunnedah Show Society, although the rain didn’t dampen the quality of competition on Wednesday last week.

Cooper Craig made the trek from Goulburn and took the win in the 14-18 Junior Bull Ride with a 74-point ride ahead of Jock Maxwell (69) and Bailey Searle (67).

Elanore Ure made it back-to-back AgQuip wins in the 14-18 Barrel Race with a 16.879, and was followed by Stevee Besant (16.881), Ellie-Jo Tuckey (16.936), Lacey Besant (17.10) and Dekota Caban (17.171).

The women’s events were tough, with 17-year-old Connie Besant from Cowra stopping the clocks at 2.34 in the Ladies Breakaway Roping ahead of five-time Australian champion Dianne Parkinson (2.39), Phillipa Leys (2.5) and Jessica Norton (2.5).

The Steer Undecorating was won by Moonbi’s Lauren Smith (2.07), followed by Nichole Fitzpatrick (2.09) and Skyla Wicks (2.22).

Bianca Miller from Tamworth followed up her win at Walgett Rodeo with a win at Gunnedah, while Emma Thompson (16.941) and Mikayla Weir (16.975) were second and third.

In the Team Roping, a sub 6 second run was needed. The current leader of the standings, Ben Smith, partnered up with Jackson Clark to take the win with 4.89 secs.

Brothers Matt and Steve Mapp were second (5.63), and father-and-son Justin and Jackson Searle were third (5.97).

The Rope and Tie saw only two cowboys to the pay window, with current Australian champion Josh Rindfleish winning the roping on a 10.17 while Josh Barnett was second (13.29).

Coonabarabran cowboy Glen Chape (4.11) won the Steer Wrestling by the narrowest of margins from Heath Nichols (4.12), while Jesse Glass was next with 4.28.

Clint Glass and Daniel Rogan marked 81 points on the TnR Bucking Bulls, Throw Down and Pot Holes in the Open Bull Ride.

Bailee Selton was third on Iron Man with 78 points.

Ten-time Australian champion and Gunnedah local Dee Heinemann won the Bareback Ride aboard Greg Gibson’s Yellowblood, and second was Gerard Oversby (71) aboard Fitzsimmons Bros.

Creed and James Fyfe marked 69 points aboard Confusion (Gibson).

The Gibson-owned Yeti Oakey saw Jason Carlon first to the pay window with 74 points. Next was Brody Cummins (73) on Nakadoo (Fitzsimmons), and Ben Rasmussen was third on Carana Jan (Fitzsimmons).

The Gunnedah Show Society would like to thank all personnel, sponsors and the dedicated crowd that braved the weather.

There are three months left of the regular season in the Australian Bushmen’s Campdraft and Rodeo Association (ABCRA), and a berth at the national finals or the coveted Australian title is on the horizon.

Jessica Norton gained an equal-third placing.

Mikayla Weir achieved a third placing.

Ben Rasmussen on Carana Jan (Fitzsimmons Bros).