Heath Helps Defeat Kiwis

HEATH Nichols was part of the Australian team which defeated New Zealand in the Rodeo at the Sydney Royal Easter Show with the final score being 117 to 87.

Heath Nichols launches from his horse Rocket while being hazed by Blake Hallam on his horse Slate at the Sydney Royal Easter Show Rodeo.

It is the fourth time Heath has competed at the Show and said he enjoys representing the state and the country with Heath now competing in the state of origin series.

“It’s something a lot of young fellas strive for and for the final night of the Australia / New Zealand match we competed in front of 30,000 people,” said Mr Nichols.

“In preparation for the event I competed in a professional rodeo association in Victoria,” he said.

“Our team all support each other, we all camp on the grounds for a couple of weeks and it’s just a matter of having your horses fit and ready to compete.

“We’ve got four horses down here and they’re all settling in very well, most of them have been here before and they love it.

“There are fifteen each side and for the steer wrestling component, competitors ride at the same time and basically it is the first person to get the steer on its side receives two points and the other competitors if he gets his steer thrown down he gets one point, if not he gets nil,” he said.

“Then the bull riders are judged and whoever gets the highest points gets two points, it’s a team thing so the most important thing is to get your stock covered so you get your points for your team and make sure your country wins,” Heath Nichols said.

Heath is now competing in the State of Origin series, which he laughs is the bigger grudge match.