Cootamundra cowboy Bob Holder was presented with his custom-created Over 90s Header buckle at Mount Isa Mines Rodeo last weekend. Photo: Luke Marsden.
He’s not only the oldest certified competing cowboy in the world, but now Cootamundra’s Bob Holder has the glittering buckle to prove it.
Last weekend the 93-year-old living legend, known as the Cootamundra Cat, was presented with a custom-created Over 90s Header buckle designed by his mate, chute manager and engraver Eddie Fisher, at the feted Mount Isa Mines Rodeo in Queensland.
While every Mount Isa Mines Rodeo buckle made by Eddie Fisher is individual and highly sought-after, this is one of a kind.
It’s the only Over 90s Header buckle in the world.
He’s ridden broncs, bareback and bullocks – and now a roper, Bob still travels the nation competing in over 55s timed rope and tie events, where a calf is released from a chute, with the first rider, referred to as the “header” – which is Bob’s job – roping the front of the steer, usually around the horns.
Once the steer is caught by one of the three legal head catchers, the header must dally (wrap the rope around the rubber covered saddle horn) and use his horse to turn the steer to the left.
In comes the second roper or the “heeler”, who ropes the steer by its hind feet after the header has turned the steer.
Each year he and his daughter Kerrie – a champion barrel racer – make the 2200-km trip to Mount Isa to compete in what is considered the Southern Hemisphere’s largest rodeo and the third largest in the world, over three days from 7-10 August.
Since first entering a rodeo competition as a novice at Tumut rodeo aged 14 – winning the bronc ride – Bob’s competed in rodeos for 78 years, in Australia, the US and Calgary in Canada.
The first Australian to win prize money in professional rodeo earned him a place in the history books.
He says he still loves the rodeo life, the people, the sport and the horses which he describes as “honest friends”.
The Australian Rodeo Hall of Famer continues to inspire generations of riders across the country.
This includes nine-year-old Tate Smith of Tamworth, who was given the opportunity to gallop alongside Bob, ropes in hand, separated only by 85 years, in the Mount Isa Mines Rodeo big arena following the presentation.
Tate, the youngest roping competitor at the rodeo, said his dream was to be a professional roping cowboy and Bob’s advice to him was, “never give up, keep practising and to keep on riding!”
Bob also shared a moment with the youngest competitor, eight-year-old Asher McCullough, a local Mount Isa cowboy who was celebrating his birthday.
Dad Matt McCullough said meeting Bob was the best birthday gift ever for Asher who wanted to be a professional cowboy, with the rope and tie in his sights, but at last weekend’s event mounted up for the barrel race.
Both Tate and Asher got to see Bob in action as he went on to compete in the Over 55’s Team Roping event on the final day.
Even at 93, retirement is not in Bob’s vocabulary; he says the only time you retire is when you die.
And his advice to others is simple: “Get up in the morning and keep going. Do something else. Sitting around reading the newspaper, you’ll die too quick. Keep yourself moving.”
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