IT has been a wild ride to the top for Mount Gambier cowboy Cody Ireland.
Ireland was awarded a belt buckle at the Dartmoor rodeo for his efforts in the Woodall RSA Series and has moved up from the second division to the Open class.
He is now in his rookie year in the professional ranks, something he has been working towards for several years.
He “broke” into the Open class last year and claimed his first professional win this year at the Wilmington rodeo.
Cody Ireland said he was pleased with how his career had panned out.
“It has not been going too bad,” the modest cowboy said.
“You have to earn a certain amount of money before you break Open and as of mid last year I broke Open, which basically means I can no longer ride second division events.
“It is a pretty good achievement and I am pretty happy with how I have progressed in the last couple of years.
“I have only been riding saddle horses for four or five years, so I am pretty chuffed to be mixing it with the best in Australia.”
Ireland said he was pleased with the win at Wilmington in his rookie year.
“That was my first Open class and it is something I will remember, that’s for sure,” he said.
While the rodeo circuit provides plenty of entertainment for spectators, it is a huge commitment for riders.
Ireland competes right across the country and with the prize money of offer not providing a viable income, it means a regular job Monday to Friday to fuel his dreams.
“The season is a full 12 months, competing just about every weekend,” Ireland said.
“With the rodeo circuit in Australia, the prize money is not as much as the States (USA), so there are not many cowboys who can do it as a living – it is more of a hobby.
“I compete every weekend, but work 9-5 during the week, so I do not have a lot of spare time, especially now in my rookie year in the pro class.”
But rodeo is in Ireland’s blood.
He said his father was a former champion and he was introduced to the sport at a young age.
“I was born into it,” Ireland said.
“I grew up riding poddy calves, then progressed onto steers, then rode bulls for four or five years.
“I thought I would try my hands at the horses and have not looked back since.
“I have been rodeoing as long as I can remember.”
At 25 years of age Ireland appears to have no plans to slow down any time soon.
“It is a young man’s game – you do not see too many older fellows competing too much,” he said.
“But I would love to go forever.
“Any passion or hobby you have you want to do it as best you can for as long as you can.
“I suppose I will know when my time is up, when I have had enough, or reached all of my goals.
“At this stage I want to rodeo as much as I can for as long as I can.”
For some it may seem like a tough hobby.
Just a few seconds can decide the outcome of an event, with the physical pain certainly part of the drama.
However, it seems Ireland takes it all in his stride as he looks to compete at the top level.
“It is a pretty big rush,” he said.
“But also when you jump off after a good ride it feels like you have just won a million dollars.
“You cannot really describe it – it is just a thrill.”
