Bob Holder
Bob Holder (born 1931) is a champion rodeo rider of Cootamundra, New South Wales, in 2019 reckoned as the world's oldest professional in the sport.[1]
History[]
At the age of five Holder accompanied his father droving, and after some formal education became a successful real-estate agent[2] with Elders Real Estate, Cootamundra, and lives in the district.
Holder first entered a competition as a Novice at Tumut rodeo aged 14, winning the bronc ride.[1] In 1953 He won the Novice class at the in October 1953[3] In March 1954 he came fourth in both the NSW bareback riding and championshlps at Condobolin.[4] and won the Riverina bareback riding championship at Narrandera a month later.[5]
In 1959 he was invited to appear on the American rodeo circuit, on a tour that culminated at Madison Square Garden, one of the first Australian cowboys to be so honoured.[2]
In later years his specialty was team roping as the "header", whose job is to lasso the horns of a steer while his partner (Brian Lawless, another Cootamundra resident) as "heeler" tackles the hind legs.
Recognition[]
On 23 October 2017 Holder was inducted into the Australian Professional Rodeo Association's Hall of Fame.[6]
Holder's daughter Kerrie is a champion horse rider, specializing in barrel racing events.
References[]
- ^ a b "Meet Bob Holder, the rodeo rider still going strong at 88 years old". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 19 August 2019. Retrieved 22 August 2019.(transcript of TV interview with Holder by ) for The 7.30 Report.
- ^ a b Dominique Schwartz; Emily Clark. "Hanging on". Retrieved 23 August 2019.
- ^ "Girl Rider Delights Rodeo Crowd". Daily Advertiser (Wagga Wagga). New South Wales, Australia. 19 October 1953. p. 6. Retrieved 22 August 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Personal". Cootamundra Herald. New South Wales, Australia. 29 March 1954. p. 2. Retrieved 21 August 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Rodeo Success to Cootamundra". Cootamundra Herald. New South Wales, Australia. 20 April 1954. p. 2. Retrieved 22 August 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Nikki Reynolds (25 October 2018). "Bob Holder is inducted into the Australian Professional Rodeo Association's Hall of Fame". The Land. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
- Rodeo in Australia
- 1931 births
- Living people
- Roping (rodeo)
- Bareback bronc riders
- Steer wrestlers