Cowboys back in the saddle as Alice Springs Rodeo returns

The dust was flying and cowboys were hitting the dirt as the Alice Springs Rodeo returned after a year out of the saddle.More than 2,000 spectators in total visited the arena at Blatherskite Park on Saturday, watching competitors take on bucking bulls and horses, while some of the youngest riders tried their luck on poddy calves.For Aileron Bush Club secretary James Christian, the response showed how much the event had been missed."It's electric," he said."People are really glad to have a rodeo back on here in town."There's people from all different parts of society here, all cheering … they're enjoying the spectacle."James Christian says the rodeo brought the community together. (ABC News: Chris Murrkarany Fitzpatrick)Mr Christian said the event drew organisers and competitors from across a huge stretch of the Territory."The committee comes from probably a diameter of about 1,000 kilometres," he said."We've all converged on Alice Springs to put on this show."But it takes the whole community to help make that happen."[Young competitors took part in horse and poddy calf events. (ABC News: Chris Murrkarany Fitzpatrick)Young riders take their turnAmong those preparing to enter the arena was 10-year-old Lucy Muenstr, who was competing on the poddy calves.She said she was more excited than nervous about getting into the arena."It's pretty fun," she said."You can just watch everyone fall off, and that, and it's just funny sometimes — but it's not funny if someone hurts themselves."Ten-year-old Lucy Muenstr was excited to take on the poddy calves. (ABC: Chris Murrkarany Fitzpatrick)Another young rider, 12-year-old Ollie McKay, had travelled 300 kilometres and was also hoping to leave with a buckle."I enjoy it, and it's just, like, the fun and the feel," he said."I just like riding and just like the cattle and all that."For a cowboy veteran, 41-year-old rider Garyshane James, who has competed in rodeos for about 25 years, seeing another generation taking part was an important part of the event."Kids that get here — amazing young fellas getting in and having a go and keeping the cowboy spirit going," he said."Rodeo was our key to get out and see our mates."Garyshane James has competed in rodeos for about 25 years. (ABC: Chris Murrkarany Fitzpatrick)Three competitors taken to hospitalThe dangers of the sport were also on display.Three competitors were taken to hospital after being injured during the rodeo and were reported to be in a stable condition and recovering.Three competitors were taken to hospital after being injured during the 2026 Alice Springs rodeo. (ABC: Chris Murrkarany Fitzpatrick)Rodeo announcer Ricky J. Morrison said injuries were an accepted risk for many competitors."The cliché saying for rodeo is it's not if you get hurt, it's when," he said."If you do it long enough, you're going to get hurt."He said the difference in size between riders and bulls made the risks clear."When a cowboy weighs anywhere from 50 to 100 kilos, and the bulls weigh anywhere from 450 to 600 kilos … you're probably going to come out second best sometimes," he said.Rodeo announcer Ricky Morrison (right) says getting hurt is an accepted risk of the sport. (ABC: Chris Murrkarany Fitzpatrick)Animal welfare concerns remainWhile the crowd cheered on the competitors, not everyone was tipping their hat to the rodeo.RSPCA Australia senior scientific officer Di Evans said the organisation remained opposed to rodeos because of concerns about the animals involved.Di Evans has written numerous papers on rodeo for the RSPCA (Supplied: RSPCA)"We oppose rodeos on animal welfare grounds because of the high risk of pain, injury, fear [and] stress," she said.Dr Evans said behaviours including head tossing, showing the whites of the eyes and excessive salivation could indicate distress in bucking animals."Great for a spectacle, but not so good for the animals."She acknowledged rodeos could provide social connections and contribute to the identity and economy of regional communities, but argued those benefits could be achieved in other ways."If there's other ways that people can … connect with this culture and this focus without harming animals [and] display these skills through another way," she said.Sam Webb pocketed $3,000 after winning the Open Bull Ride and shoot-out. (ABC: Chris Murrkarany Fitzpatrick)Sam Webb cleans houseIn the end, the competition produced a clear winner.Territory cowboy Sam Webb, 38, won the Open Bull Ride before taking out the final shoot-out, earning $1,500 for each victory and pocketing $3,000 in total.Mr Webb said there was no secret to his success."It's just like a hard day at work," he said."You work hard, you get the results."I was due for a bit of money."He said he was never worried about taking on the bull that ultimately delivered his win."That's the fella I wanted, the big red fella," he said.Mr Webb said beyond the competition, the rodeo offered something less tangible but no less valuable."It just brings the community together, brings everybody together," he said."It's a time to meet and greet and have a good time."After the hiatus in 2025, organisers have described the rodeo as a "peak success" and hope to get back in the saddle again next year.