ART OF STEER-RIDING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20113, 26 November 1928, Page 11

ART OF STEER-RIDING.

DISPLAY 45 YEARS AGO.

EARLY DAYS RECALLED

DOWNFALL OF "BUFFALO BILL."

Among (lie crowds who witnessed tlic steer-riding contests at tlio Auckland Show oil Saturday afternoon there could not havo been many who saw the first exhibition on the same grounds 45 years ago. Yet this display remains firmly impressed 011 the memory of Mr. Peter Robertson, of Avorulale, "who was born ill Queen Street over 70 years ago. There was an added touch of the spectacular to this first exhibition of steerriding in Auckland, according to Mr. Robertson. On every variety of horsedrawn conveyance farmers came to the city to attend a show at Potter's Paddock, all considerably interested in the announcement that Buffalo Bill himself had made a visit from the United States and would demonstrate the thrills of steer-riding. The self-styled Buffalo Bill appeared, gorgeous in wido sombrero, woolly chaps and u lassoo. He mounted a horse and with much flourish rode round the enclosure. Then, greatly daring, he mounted a steer which had been provided for him, first casting his lassoo aside with a fine, careless gesture. Then the fun commenced. The steer was not a docile animal and, to the great joy of tlio spectators, soon showed its objections to tlio presence of the rider. Kicking up its heels it made straight for the far end of the ground, where there was some high brush which had been used for horse-jumping. The steer was no hurdler, but with true animal cunning it ran straight into the brush and tho glory of sombrero and woolly chaps disappeared into branches which were tho reverse of soft.

The spectators were delighted, - hut thero was muro futi in store for them. Although somewhat crestfallen the "cowhoy" immediately looked for someone on whom ho could vent his annoyanco. He inquired angrily of the crowd for his lassoo. It, happened that a well-known Northern farmer and cattle dealer named lloss had picked up. the lassoo when it was thrown aside, and ho returned it to the owner. "Buffalo Bill"' made the mistake of slashing Mr. Ross across the face with the rope, and then caine a glorious finish to tho exhibition. Mr. Ross was a man of find physique and Mr. Robertson's eyes still gleam as lie recalls tho "father of a hiding" which tho Northern farmer gave the cowboy.