GRAHAM Amos has wanted to be a cowboy ever since he could remember.
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“And I’m still working at it,” he said.
But don’t let his words fool you.
The 73-year-old is one of the best in the business, as one of the oldest – and fiercest – riders competing in the 2017 44th National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) Futurity at AELEC.
Hailing from Lismore, Mr Amos did his first futurity in 1972.
He’s since done the cutting, campdrafting and rodeo circuits across the country – bagging national titles in bronc riding, bareback riding and bull riding – but he’ll hang up the saddle at the end of the year when he retires home to Killarney, Queensland.
He’s chosen to see out his career in Tamworth as one of more than 800 riders from Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia and the USA competing in the 13-day event, with $750,000 up for grabs in prize money.
The futurity, which kicked off on Tuesday and wraps on Sunday, June 12, is one of the biggest in years.
“We’re up 15 per cent on entries this year,” NCHA general manager Craig Young said.
“With the strong cattle industry, people might be better suited now (to compete).
“The strong economy in the rural sector is probably helping that.”
The feature event, the open futurity, has about 140 riders.
The bull ride and rodeo, which features live music from Redneck Gentlemen and a trick show with Kate Clancy on Saturday night, also has a strong field of competitors.
“We’ve had nearly double the entries on last year,” Mr Young said.
A team of eight non-pro riders from the USA have come over to compete in the challenge.
There will be no cutting on Saturday to make way for the select sale, with 100 of the country’s top cutting horses up for sale.
The sale grossed $1.2 million last year and organisers expect sales to fetch $1.5 million on Saturday.
Tickets to the events are available from the AELEC box office or online.
