KIMBERLEY RODEO STARS PREPARE FOR BULL AND STEER RIDING

by tangiora hinaki

Robe River, 2024 09 06 – The Robe River Rodeo will showcase some remarkable young talent this year, with Sevi Barnes and Wacey Barnes from the renowned Barnes family standing out in their respective events. Both thirteen years old, the cousins have been making waves with their impressive performances in steer riding and bull riding.

Sevi Barnes, competing in the Under 14s Steer Riding event, has been honing his skills from a young age, thanks to a family steeped in rodeo tradition. “Squeeze your legs, turn your toes, and chase the front,” Sevi advised, sharing the techniques that have helped him excel. He added, “We’ve been doing a lot of steer riding and practice at home. We’ve been growing up with this. Our family’s been doing it for a long time, so we got forced into it.” Sevi’s father, who began teaching him the sport when he was just six, has played a crucial role in his development. In addition to steer riding, Sevi is skilled in ‘cracking the whip,’ using it effectively to manage cattle.

Wacey Barnes, competing in the bull riding section, has also made a name for himself with four wins in his short career. “I just love it,” Wacey said with evident enthusiasm. “My family did it, and it made me want to do it too.” His passion for bull riding is a testament to the strong influence of his rodeo-centric family background.

The Barnes family’s legacy in rodeo continues to thrive through the impressive talents of Sevi and Wacey. Their performances at the Robe River Rodeo reflect the dedication and tradition that have long defined their family’s involvement in the sport. As their careers progress, rodeo fans will be watching closely to see how these young stars build on their early successes.