General News
31 July, 2024
Isa product out to claim a fourth Ken Coleman Memorial Chute Out
The saddle bronc rider has enjoyed a lot of success at the Curry Merry Muster.
Clayton Braden says he doesn’t know why he’s been so successful at Cloncurry, but the star bronc rider is keen to continue on his merry way this weekend.
Fresh from winning the open saddle bronc at Richmond on Saturday, Braden is hoping to add to his season prizemoney at the Merry Muster.
“I’ve won the bronc ride twice, but I’ve won the Kenny Coleman Chute Out three times,” said the manager of Panhandle Station, located near Collinsville.
“The Chute Out is always the best one to win from a cowboy’s point of view.”
Braden, who grew up in the North West, attending Sunset State School in Mount Isa until he moved to Townsville for high school, said the saddle bronc at the Merry Muster was a top tier event.
“I think everybody steps up another level,” he said.
“You are surrounded by good people and the best stock in the country; I think your riding just goes to another level.”
There are two saddle bronc events at the Merry Muster and the six from the open bronc ride end up in the Ken Coleman Memorial Chute Out, with all eyes on the competitors in the Saturday night feature.
“I do try my hardest to win the rodeo but I really want to make it back into that Chute Out ... I think a lot of the guys think the same,” Braden said.
The Chute Out is a tribute to one of the toughest cowboys ever seen.
Coleman won his first pro tour saddle bronc title in 1969, a feat he would go onto repeat in 1970, 1976, 1978 and 1979.
The Chute Out riders will be the top four scorers in the open saddle bronc and two wildcards will be drawn from the remaining contestants.
Punters in the crowd can buy tickets in the Calcutta and bid on who they think will come out on top in the buckle event.
Braden, who has virtually given up bull riding to focus on the broncs, said the prizemoney was just a bonus.
“They money is good to win and helps you get down the road, but I’ve always tried to not have that in my head,” he told North West Weekly.
“For me, it’s about having fun and beating your horse. If you beat your horse you’ve had a good night.”
The Mount Isa product said he wasn’t worried about which horse he drew at the Merry Muster, but did have a couple in mind.
“It really doesn’t matter at a place like Cloncurry because they’ll all be good,” he said.
“One I haven’t ridden is Turn Me Loose – he’s a big boy and looks like a bunch of fun.
“Moves Like Jagger is another, but he might be saved for the Chute Out.”
Following the Curry, Braden will make his way to Buchanan Park for the Mount Isa Rodeo.
“I won the rookie bronc ride many years ago but I haven’t won the open at the Isa yet,” he said.
“I’ve been second and third a couple of times ... I was born and bred in Mount Isa so it would be a good one to tick off the list.”