From around central Australia they gathered on red dirt this weekend in a natural amphitheatre cut from bush in Harts Range, 215 kilometres north-east of Alice Springs.
Stockmen, ringers, mounted police – it was on for young and old as Northern Territory pastoralists and the Atitjere community met for the 71st annual Harts Range Races and Rodeo.
Les ‘Hollywood’ McLaughlin during the Open Saddle Bronc ride.
Running and lizard races, a ladies cow tail toss and bush night rocked the Plenty Highway.
And while the ‘race that stops a nation’ attracts horses whose names ring around racetracks the world over, Harts Range runners were unregistered station horses from across the red centre.
Larron Cook winner of the 11-and-under whip crack.
For the record, local Alitjere man Davis Jr Bird’s won the 700m final, Les ‘Hollywood’ McLaughlin’s had a star turn in the saddle bronc and 10-year-old Larron Cook took out the 11-and-under whip crack.
A competitor in the Novice Steer Ride has an ‘involuntary dismount’.
Then the red dust settled on Mt Riddock Station and revellers rode off into the sunset – until next year.
The race track and rodeo arena is seen from the natural amphitheatre during the 71st annual Harts Range Races and Rodeo, approximately 215km east of Alice Springs.
The field sprints down the home straight in a 200m race for stock horses.
Source: Read Full Article