Man and beast collide this weekend when some of the world’s best bull riders saddle up in Newcastle.
22 bull riders will fight it out at the Brendon Clark Invitational at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre, which today received a make-over for the occasion – 350 tonnes of dirt.
It’s on this soil that local product Brendon Clark is hoping to secure back to back wins.
“The pressure here is a little different than it is everywhere else. But I feel like it helps me. I’ve had a lot of success here and of course last year I was lucky enough to win. I feel like there are a lot of people behind me here and it’s a good feeling to have to try and come and prove a point so I am excited about it.”
With the goal of lasting 8 seconds on a bucking bull, it’s a fast and dangerous sport, something Clark knows all too well.
In 2009 a bull stomped on his chest after a fall, leaving him with serious injuries.
“Coming back after my bad injury was probably the hardest thing I have ever had to do. You question yourself a lot, whether you still want to do it or whether it is all worth doing.”
But it’s the challenge that keeps him getting back in the saddle.
“I’ve had a lot of good times and a lot of good rides since then so I’m not so worried about it now.”
“The challenge of riding a bull is never easy, it’s always there and it’s never going to be easy. So that’s the thing that keeps me coming back. The day that it’s not a challenge’ or I don’t enjoy waking up for the challenge, I suppose will be time for me to quit.”
