SET on a ranch at Muskerry is Bennet Ranch Rodeo, home to the regions first family-run rodeo and this year\u2019s Victorian bull riding titles.<\/p>\n
James Neil Bennet started the rodeo three years ago after interest in his bucking chutes started to grow beyond his circle of friends.<\/p>\n
\u201cI started the rodeo myself, I built the whole arena at home and then opened up to the public expecting to get 500 people and then we got 3000,\u201d Bennet said.<\/p>\n
Since the first event, Bennet has built a viewing platform around the arena and installed new TV screens to accommodate the large crowds.<\/p>\n
This December the ranch will host the 2023 Victorian Bull Riding Titles, an event supported by the Australian Professional Rodeo Association.<\/p>\n
Financial contributions from local business partners will make up the $10,000 prize pool that riders compete for, a sum that Bennet said will draw riders from around Australia.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou get \u2018em from all across Australia, like Darwin, Queensland, New South, everywhere\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cEspecially when you put up $10,000, it\u2019s worthwhile them spending the money on the fuel to try their luck.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Bennet, bull riding is not about competing against his peers, but is a competition with himself.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a joke that goes around bull riding like, it\u2019s 90 per cent mental and the rest is in your head,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverybody that rides bulls has had horrific injuries so you know what could happen so it\u2019s a massive mental drain to be able to calm your mind and perform,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Bucking bulls are bred specifically for the sport from animals that show natural talent.<\/p>\n
Bennet said riders develop respect for the animal as most will sustain injuries over the course of their riding careers.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can\u2019t ride bulls unless you respect them, because you know how badly they can hurt you,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Bulls at the next Bennet Ranch Rodeo will be supplied by Guy Morgan, Gary McPhee, with some of Bennet\u2019s own bulls used as well.<\/p>\n
The two-day rodeo will be held on the 15 and 16 of December at Bennet Ranch at Muskerry.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
SET on a ranch at Muskerry is Bennet Ranch Rodeo, home to the regions first family-run rodeo and this year\u2019s Victorian bull riding titles. James Neil Bennet started the rodeo three years ago after interest in his bucking chutes started to grow beyond his circle of friends. \u201cI started the rodeo myself, I built the […]<\/p>\n