Most people find comfort and satisfaction when fishing, gardening or reading. George Hempenstall, of Kirkton Yass, finds his greatest pleasure when tending to his Rodeo Bulls.
With a string of outstanding bulls to his credit, the name Hempenstall is quickly associated with legendary Brahman ‘Chainsaw’. Universally regarded as the greatest Rodeo Bull of all time, Chainsaw was a direct product of the Hempenstall Brothers, George and Richard.
At the age of just 17, the passionate cowboy purchased arguably the most valuable asset of his Rodeo career. Chainsaw roamed around the Hempenstall’s property for four years, developing into the most successful and loved bull in Australian Rodeo history.
With a career spanning over 10 years, Chainsaw would become ‘Australia’s Bull of the Year’ on a world record eight occasions, from 1987 through to 1994. The 800kg Brahman had just nine qualified rides throughout his illustrious career.
George’s love of Rodeo began at the age of 15. Living in Castlereagh, in Sydney’s outskirts, George was taken to a Rodeo by a close friend of his fathers. “I’ve been hooked ever since,” George said.
A short time later, the curious 15-year-old decided to ‘have a crack’ himself.
“It was pretty disastrous,” George reflected, “I was thrown all around the place, before ending up face-first in the dirt.”
Currently the Hempenstall brothers contract bulls for the Professional Bull Riders Association (PBR), while distributing portable rodeo arena’s throughout the world. The PBR Association is an American organisation with franchises in Australia, Brazil, Mexico and Canada. The Hempenstall brothers provided bulls for the PBR World Cup, held on the Gold Coast earlier this year.
Although the bull riding industry is a part time occupation, George is adamant that the rodeo industry remains his passion. “I don’t know what I’d do without my bulls.”
There is a general consensus among many that bull-riding is cruel, a feeling that the livestock carrier finds hard to fathom. “When you get on their backs they come to life,” George said. “They know what their job is. If they don’t want to buck, they won’t. For example, we used to have a bulled named Desperado, if we didn’t load him on the truck for the rodeo night, he’d follow us to the edge of the property and bellow.”
Over 40 bulls are currently stationed on the Hempenstall’s property, yet from a distance of some 50 metres, George identified every bull, quoting their record at rodeo meets, their weight and age.
As a member on the Yass Rodeo Committee, George was a strong advocate for the inclusion of the Bundaberg PBR Pro Tour on the Yass calendar. “I think it’s a good move. It’ll be fast action; we’ve never had the top 40 riders in Yass competing at the one time.”
The local bull contractor will be entering a selection of his finest buckers for the evening. “The top 10 riders on the night will go into a ride off to see who the best rider in Yass is. It’s exciting because a lot of well renowned riders from Queensland will be competing. ” There’s a distinct possibility that the Hempenstalls will be providing a few of the bulls, to be ridden in the knockout stages of the event.
Local residents and businesses will be given the opportunity to sponsor a competing bull for the evening. Sponsors will receive a family pass, while enjoying the thrill. If you are interested in purchasing a bull for the night, please contact Andrea Kelly on 6226 4535.
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