BUCK RIDING AT WEMBLEY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 27 June 1924, Page 5

BUCK RIDING AT WEMBLEY

EX CITING INCIDENT

AUSTRALIAN DISQUALIFIED

(By Eleotrlo Telegraph -Copyright.) Australian and N.Z. Caole Association.)

LONDON, Juno 26.

An Australian, “Snowy” Thompson, started off in fine style in the first, round of the buekriding contest for £IOOO prize, in which he and the Canadian Vandcmerc and the American Edward Tegland are participating at Wembley. Thompson made an easy journey, his mount galloping down the stadium and not indulging in bucking; but the others had a livelier passage. Immediately afterwards cowboys and spectators protested that Thompson was riding with a crupper, which is an iron attachment to tho saddle, and it is declared, absolutely prevents bucking. Thompson declined to reride without a crupper and so was automatically disqualified. The Daily Express reports an incident. which caused much excitement. It says that Thompson, mounted on “Headlight,” one of tile best .broncos, used a largo Australian stock saddle with a crupper over the tail. When he found the animal did not buck he dismounted and returned. He said: “I cannot help it if these horses of theirs won't buck when ridden with a crupper. Our horses in Australia will. .1 was told I could use any saddle and the one I used won’t stay on any horse’s back without a crupper.” Tox Austin, Rodeo manager, said: “You cannot win tho money' 1 in the bronco bucking competition unless the horse bucks. None of our horses will buck with a crupper. They cannot possibly do it. Thompson can ride the same horse with his saddle or any other without, a crupper and would not. stay on. The Canadian and American will ride the same horse with Thompson’s saddle, so that there will.be.no complaint.” Mr Cochran said: “I don’t want Thompson to feel that there is anything against him. I am prepared to agree to have two Australian judges in the arena during a further ride., or that the judging be left to an Englishman. The Daily Herald says Tex Austin said the .introduction of the crupper was not anticipated or a clause would have been inserted against it. Ultimately Cochran offered £l6O it the three would ride again, using Thompson’s saddle without a crupper, but the suggestion was not adopted. Thompson was offered the option of riding without a. crupper, but this was refused, and so he was disqualified, against which he vigorously protested.