Local businessman, shire councillor, entrepreneur and part-time rodeo rider, Chris ‘Dido’ Deighton has assembled his own rodeo team for the 2026 Cobar Rodeo.
Dido has loaded his chuckwagon with 10 brave men for one of the most adrenaline-pumping and at the same time dangerous events in rodeo, bull riding.
Bull riding is a battle of strength, endurance and skill as riders attempt to stay on a powerful, unpredictable bull for eight seconds.
It tests a cowboy’s grit, balance and sheer determination and leaves the crowd on the edge of their seats.
Dido just says it’s fun! From their team of 10, it will be a re-ride for Dido and workmate Daniel Pagett, who rode last year (and still have some of the scars, ongoing injuries to show for it).
“Most of the boys have never been on a bull before,” Dido told The Cobar Weekly.
“Lachy Willard, he rides a fair bit, he knows what’s going on and I’m sure Dylan might have rode—you know he’s been around the bush and he’s got a cowboy hat, so he’s got to have.
“Lochie and Kody Ford, they’ve been talking about doing it for ages, and they just said ‘Let’s do it’.”
Apart from the fun, the team is also taking up the challenge to raise funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) and Wings4Kidz.
“Last year Pago and I did it for Macquarie Homestay and we’re building on that.
“We chose RFDS as a charity close to me and Pago’s daughter has used the Wings4Kidz service for medical appointments.”
Dido had a goal of raising a purse of $10,000 (which they have almost reached) but expects it will probably be closer to $20,000 by the time the rodeo rolls around and the proceeds of a Calcutta are added in.
Dido’s novice riders won’t however have to face the big, bad bulls in the Open Bull Riding class, as Dido has teed up some “practice bulls” with rodeo stocker Les Parnaby.
“They’re a step below the novice bulls,” Dido explained. And while they will still be unpredictable
