Rodeo rider overcomes injuries to get back on the bull
TARAN Chirgwin has been around bulls his whole life.
The 18-year-old from Calliope has followed in the footsteps of his father, Gary Ashe, and has ridden bulls from the age of 13.
"He got me into it," Chirgwin said.
This Saturday, Chirgwin will contest the rookie bull and open bull at the Brand of Experience 4bs Rodeo.
He said he remembered well the first time he got on a bull.
"It was scary," he said. "I was pretty nervous. I didn't really know what to do."
His first ride was short - he was bucked off first jump.
But now it has become second nature.
"There is a lot of mechanics, techniques and strength," he said.
"You've got to know what a bull's going to do."
Chirgwin practises at least once a week and competes every Saturday.
Danger was something a bull rider had to accept, he said.
"Everyone knows you're going to get hurt."
And he speaks from experience. He was knocked unconscious recently and in May last year was badly hurt.
In Rockhampton, a bull jumped on his left kidney, splitting it in three places.
It took months for him to feel physically and mentally ready to ride again.
"It was hard trying to get back on and always worrying about my kidney," he said. "It was real tough at the time."
Get to the rodeo
- The Brand of Experience 4bs rodeo is on Saturday, December 1 at Marley Brown Oval
- Gates open at 4pm with the action beginning at 5pm.
- Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for high school students and $5 for primary school students and younger.
