More than 800 people from across northern Australia hit a remote outback cattle station over the weekend for the iconic annual Brunette Races.
More than 800 people from across northern Australia hit a remote outback cattle station over the weekend for the iconic annual Brunette Races. In its 116th year, the event includes rodeo, campdraft and a novelty obstacle course based on the life of a station ringer.
The event is held at Brunette Downs — a 1 million-hectare remote cattle station located 380 kilometres north of Tennant Creek. For jillaroos and jackaroos, the Brunette Races are a chance to let their hair down and enjoy the fruits of the heavy rainfall that delayed the start of this year's muster season. For others attending the event, it's an outback bucket list item and a chance to experience a culture many don't otherwise encounter.
Jess Angus won the Jack and Jill campdraft event on the first day of the races, showing off some of the skills she's picked up mustering at Brunchilly Station, north-east of Tennant Creek. Young bull rider Mitch Reinke prepares for an evening of rodeo riding under lights.
Originally from Gatton, Queensland, Mr Reinke now travels northern Australia as a rural fencing contractorWira Thompson, Kelly Mills and Eligh Houston all left regional towns in the eastern states to work on a team of contract musterers in the Northern Territory. Hundreds bring their horses from remote stations to compete in campdraft, which gets underway at the crack of dawn every morning during the four-day meet. Veteran rodeo paramedic Greg Bath prepares to respond to injuries during the event.
For years, Greg and his wife have followed the rodeo and campdraft circuit, treating patients with everything from sunburn to spinal fractures. Ringers Ava Deane, Joe Taylor, Sam Greer and Charlie Wehl all call Brunette Downs Stations home, just a short drive minutes from the track.
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