General News
5 June, 2024
Kalkadoon cowboy off to compete for Texas Rattlers
Donovan Rutherfurd will miss the Isa Rodeo in favour of USA riches.
Mount Isa’s champion cowboy Donovan Rutherfurd will miss this year’s Isa Rodeo for a crack at international fame and glory in the United States.
The 24-year-old will jump on a plane in four weeks to compete for the Texas Rattlers in the PBR Teams Series.
The pro bull-riding series will take him to places like Oklahoma City, New York, Nashville, Kansas City and Los Angeles, with the championships to be staged in Las Vegas from October 17-20.
Rutherfurd is no stranger to the US, having recently returned from riding commitments abroad, but said being part of the Rattlers was taking things to a new level.
“It was too good an opportunity to knock back,” he said of the trip that will see him miss another Isa Rodeo at Buchanan Park.
“It’s the big time over there.”
Rutherfurd was taken with the overall 19th pick in the recent PBR Teams Series draft, with the Texas franchise using their second selection to secure his services.
“I had a pretty good idea they were interested,” he said.
“But I wasn’t certain I was going to get picked.”
Joining Rutherfurd at the Rattlers will be fellow Queenslander Qynn Andersen.
The first event in the PBR Teams Series will be held at Oklahoma City from July 10-12.