6th February 2002 Countdown to rodeo action

Outback Australians are a courageous brand of survivors who daily conquer the challenges this country of extremes imposes upon them.

It is that same true grit determination that fires their spirit to succeed in the exacting sports of rodeo and campdraft.

Success for competitors in these sports does not come easy or without sacrifices. Neither does it come before a special partnership and respect is developed between man and beast. When the correct ingredients have been sourced and the hard slogging is behind them, for competitors there is just the exhilarating test of their competitive proficiency to be tried.

In all too few seconds that test will celebrate their success or gauge what went wrong. Their performances have whet the appetites of spectators who have craved this excitement and chilling action for many decades.

Today these competitors are a well-organised band of professionals who, each weekend, travel many kilometres to reach their next destination on the circuit to entertain us all whilst accumulating points, skill and perhaps some fuel money to return home and start again.

Easter Sunday will be Ridgites' opportunity to fill the Bill Waterford Equestrian Centre for the fifth Black Opal Rodeo a 15 event program with a massive $10,200 in prizemoney.

Lightning Ridge can boast many champion horsemen and women who have brought home titles from throughout Australia and beyond. We will pay tribute to them in future editions.

One of today's champions is Lisa Longney (nee Parker), daughter of Neil and Dianne of Opal Street, Lightning Ridge.

Like so many before her Lisa has earned the accolades that she now enjoys. In two consecutive years at the prestigious Warwick Rodeo, Lisa has clocked the fastest time in the Womens' Open Barrel Race to secure first placing.

Lisa and her horse, Logan, have managed to outmanoeuvre the wide open course and have proven that they are the winning combination to be challenged at future meets.

Lisa and husband Gary now live in the rodeo capital of Warwick whilst her childhood years were spent at Lightning Ridge.