Mara’s Merry Muster goal attained at last

Former Cloncurry local Troy Mara, 25, won the open bull ride with 81 points after taking on the vicious Australian champion bull Chuckles on the Friday night.

Mara had only ridden Chuckles once in Roma three months ago, and was thrown off hard.

He knew that to win the buckle this year in front of his family and friends he would have to work hard.

“I had to put on a show, it had to be tonight,” Mara said.

Mara said his goal all his life was to win at the merry muster in Cloncurry.

“This is home, man,” Mara said.

Mara has previous won the Australian title in the Gold Coast in 2010.

Cloncurry Merry Muster Festival committee president Jeremy Grimm said the event at the new equestrian centre was considered successful.

“It has just been, wow.

“Overwhelming, I should say,” Mr Grimm said.

Last year the attendance numbers were below 6000.

The increase was due to the anniversary and because of the new equestrian centre, with ideal facilities.

“We’ve heard nothing but positives,” he said.

Mr Grimm thanked the support of the North West region community.

“I’m very appreciative of the people that come and support us.

“We hope Mount Isa has as much as we did.”

The first place results for the Cloncurry Merry Muster Festival are:

Steer wrestling; Mark Gibb. Open saddle bronc; John McNamee. Open bareback; Jamie Howlett. Team roping; Campbell Hodson and Liam Davidson. Ladies breakaway roping; Stacey Wilburn. Ladies barrel race; Bianca Hertel. Open bull rides; Troy Mara. Rope and tie; Shane Kenny. Second division bareback; Jake Malay-Murphy. Second division bullride; Ben Gooding. Second division saddle bronc; Gavin Fry. Junior Steer ride; Dylan Talbot. Junior team roping; Benjamin Gard. Junior barrel race; Montana O’Toole. Junior breakaway; Jordan Austin-Iker.

Local barrel races: open; Katy Scott. 17 and under; Darcy Harrison-Douglas. Under 12; Brandee Ferguson. Under seven; Cade Ferguson.