Thursday, May 17, 2012

Rodeo Rebel.....


RODEO HISTORY 101 - MADGE GORMLEY. (1914-2003) A farmer's daughter who first rode a horse at the age of three, Madge Gormley was the only woman performer in the Queensland Wild West Stampede Rodeo. As a girl, she led an outdoor life. This involved a considerable amount of droving and handling of horses. She was the only one of a large family who showed any inclination to ride. From an early age, "buckjumping" fascinated Miss Bratby to such an extent that when riding horses on their own farm she would urge them to "pig-root" round the yard. It was not until she reached the age of 23 that it became her desire to make this her life. During her interesting career, Gormley toured not only the mainland States of Australia, but New Zealand and Tasmania. On nine consecutive occasions, she won Woman buckjumping contests throughout the Commonwealth of Australia. With the greatest confidence, she climbed the chute bars and settled herself into the saddle. From the time the chute was opened, Gormley gave an excellent display of horsemanship which made a spectacular finale for Noel George's Queensland Stampede. Source: Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame & Outback Heritage Centre.

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