TEAM roping has its origins in the days when cattle had to be roped and tied for branding when there were few cattle yards and definitely no branding cradles or crushes.
Today it is a sport that is keeping alive those traditions of Australian stockmanship.
The Richmond Rodeo Association’s annual team roping competition began 20 years ago on Walkers Park Station, Richmond, as a chance for ropers to hone their skills for the Mount Isa Rodeo.
It has seen such major Australian ropers as John Osborne jnr, Stuart McPhee and Neville McArthy, all National Team Roping champions, compete there.
Having competed in the bull ride, bronc and steer wrestling events at rodeos during his late teens and early twenties, Tony Lillyman decided on a change of pace and switched to team roping.
Recognising the need for a build up to the gruelling Mount Isa Rodeo, he adapted the Walkers Park cattle yards to be able to handle team roping.
It wasn’t long before ropers from around the district began using the yards for practice and the event was born.
*Full story in this week’s North Queensland Register, out Thursday.
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