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 Wagga showgrounds in October 1953.[3] In March 1954 he came fourth in both the NSW bareback riding and bullock riding championships at Condobolin.[4] Holder 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
  1. "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 Dominique Schwartz) for The 7.30 Report.
  2. Dominique Schwartz; Emily Clark. "Hanging on". Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  3. "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.
  4. "Personal". Cootamundra Herald. New South Wales, Australia. 29 March 1954. p. 2. Retrieved 21 August 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. "Rodeo Success to Cootamundra". Cootamundra Herald. New South Wales, Australia. 20 April 1954. p. 2. Retrieved 22 August 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. 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.
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