Anoek Photojournalist

STORIES: 'Cowboyin' in Australia

Australia 2006-2007

Australian cowboys and champion bullriders are driven by passion and the thrill of danger.

After my first few days behind-the-scenes at the showground I discovered professionalism in a tough sport which requires vanity, as in dressing up, potential danger and support for each other. Trough the rough and macho image I can see gentle handsome cowboys elegantly leaning on one hip covered in sweat and red dust with fear in their eyes. Like an old quote says; "That's the cowboy's life! Drinkin, lovin, fightin, cowboyin Amongst the mud the blood and the beer !" I followed bull riding competitions at Orange, Bathurst, and Goulburn.

Tommy, Curly, Thorn and Rowan practice bull riding at Dave Hill's farm at Australia's outback, near Nyngan. Dave keeps 200 bulls for rodeo's used around Australia Afterwards they entertain themselves with practicing shooting at wildlife. The latest rodeo's at outback Australia have been cancelled in 2007 because off the animals suffering from severe drought not being strong enough to perform in the arena's.

William Bell prays behind-the-scenes before he enters the chute to go for his rough ride at the bull riding competition in Orange
   
Young Australian bull riders Rowan (L) and Tommy (R) stretch and warm-up to practice bull riding at Dave Hill's farm outside of Nyngan
   
Australian cowboy Tommy Bolton rides a young sulking bull to practice bullriding at Dave Hill's farm outside of Nyngan on at Australia's outback
     
  
Farmer Dave Hill (L) watches Australian cowboy Thorn (R) who jumps over the fence away from the bull while practicing bull riding at his farm outside of Nyngan on December at Australia's outback.
   
Young Australian cowboys Curly (L) and Rowan (C) practice shooting at wildlife near Dave Hill's farm outside of Nyngan on at Australia's outback.
  
Australian champion bull rider Tommy Bolton who lives on a farm near Canberra prepares for the bull riding competition at Goulburn
     
  
Cowboy Tommy Bolton his suitcase shows his riding boots, costume and beer cans from past times at the show ground of the bull riding competition in Bathurst
   
Allan walks through Bathurst on the way to the show ground for bull riding at Orange
   
William Bell (R) prepares for his ride by protecting his shoulder for injuries behind-the-scenes at the bull riding competition of Bathurst
     
  
All Wilson, Australian ex-champion bull rider, prepares for his clowning on the showground at the bull riding competition in Orange
   
Bull rider Peter Salter (R) sits on the chute behind-the-scenes of the bull riding competition on the show ground in Bathurst
   
Peter Salter (L), Mitchell Duff (C) and Sam (R) look from behind-the-scenes at the bull riding competition in Orange
     
  
Sam prepares for the right moment to leave the chute while competitors, Peter Salter (R) and others help him to get ready at the bull riding competition in Orange
   
Willliam Bell watches the bull riding competition at Orange from behind-the-scenes
   
Australian young bull riders hangout and encourage other competitors behind-the-scenes at the bull riding competition in Orange
     
  
A competitor concentrates behind-the-scenes at the Rodeo competition in Goulburn
   
A clown jumps over the fence distracting the bull after he threw the rider on the show ground at the bull riding competition of Bathurst
   
An Australian Champion bull rider sweeps the dirt from his face after a rough ride at the bull riding competition in Orange
     
  
Bull rider Peter Salter (R) is injured at his arm after riding at the bull riding competition of Bathurst
   
Tommy Bolton stands on the chute waiting for his turn at the bull riding competition on the show ground of Bathurst
   
Tommy Bolton (L) and Peter Salter (C) watch William Bell practicing behind-the-scenes at the bull riding competition in Orange
     
  
William Bell (L) and Peter Salter (R) carry an injured bull rider behind-the-scenes at the bull riding competition on the show ground of Bathurst
   
Australian champion bull riders and young country boys prepare behind-the-scenes at the competition at Bathurst
   
Champion rider Riley Carter (L) is having a chat with Mitchell Duff (R) behind-the-scenes, at the show ground of Bathurst
     
  
Allan (R) hangs around the show ground for a bull riding competition at Orange
   
Tommy Bolton walks to his chute behind-the-scenes of the bull riding competition on the show ground of Bathurst
   
Bull riders watch competitors from the chute late at night at the bull riding competition in Orange
     
  
Heath Crawford rides Cream Puff at the bull riding competition in Orange
   
The cowboys jump from the chute while a bull hits the fence hard at the bull riding competition in Orange
   
Bull riders gather together talking about the competition at Orange
     
  
Bull riders and the clown help the preparations in the chute at the bull riding competition in Orange
   
Cowboys try to calm a bull who wants to jump over the chute on the showground at Bathurst
   
A competitor rests behind-the-scenes at the Rodeo with injuries after 4 seconds of bull riding on the showground at Goulburn
     
  
Cornfed (L) chats with clown and showground organiser All Wilson (C) who owns the mobile hotdog shop at the bull riding competition in Orange
   
A lonesome cowboy smokes a sigarete behind-the scenes while waiting for his turn at the bull riding competition on the show ground of Bathurst
   
Allan walks around at the party after the bull riding competition at Orange
     
  
An owner of the bulls used for competion empties the enclosures to bring them back to the farms at the bull riding competition in Orange
   
Reece (L) and his friends hangout at the party after the competition on the show ground of Bathurst
   
Allan sleeps on a bench the morning after the Rodeo on the train station in Orange