Rodeo memories of Hughie

The dog high jump competition proved popular.

The Lang Lang Rodeo this year commemorated one of its own.
Hughie Bourke, a long-serving committee member who was instrumental in getting the popular dog high jump into the annual rodeo schedule, sadly died last year.
Wanting to honour Mr Bourke for his work, Easter Monday’s rodeo featured the newly-named Hughie Bourke Memorial Dog High Jump.
“He was here every year to run it (the high jump),” rodeo secretary Cheryl Berry said.
“He is sadly missed.”
The event drew strong competitors and crowds, and was eventually won by red heeler Mal, owned by George Hancock of Paynesville.
Other highlights from the 74th annual rodeo included the bareback riding, steer roping, and the highly-anticipated bull ride finale.
Ms Berry described the event as a “fantastic day with perfect weather and record entries”.
“The atmosphere was incredible,” Ms Berry said.
“We ran a full program starting at 8am and finishing at 4.30pm.”
Ms Berry thanked the many volunteers who helped behind the scenes, along with the cowboys and girls who came from as far away as Western Australia to compete.
The committee’s attention now turns to next year’s milestone 75th event, to be held once again on Easter Monday.