Ben and Jack Bode, two young bull riding brothers, have qualified to represent Australia at the Youth Bull Riders World Finals (YBR) in Abilene, Texas, USA in August. The YBR is a fabulous opportunity to compete against the best junior bull riders in the world.
Ben and Jack along with their parents, Tania and Jason and their younger brother Tom, have lived in Biloela for the past 16 years. During this time, the boys have attended St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School and Biloela State High School. They both played soccer and rugby league, until their love and success in bull riding saw them really focus their talent on the sport. Hours of practice and thousands of kilometres travelling to rodeos throughout Queensland and northern New South Wales have now seen their dedication pay off.
In 2021, Ben was the National Rodeo Association (NRA) Reserve Champion U18 Bull Rider. Over the three weekends of finals Ben secured three wins from three events, to claim the 2021 Final Series Buckle. Prior to this Ben attended St Brendan’s College in Yeppoon, a school renowned for producing exceptional bull riders, namely Aaron Klier, the current PBR champion. In 2020, Ben was awarded the College Bull Rider of the Year Buckle. Ben’s achievements over the last two years have been numerous and have cumulated in him being offered an Intercollegiate Athletic Scholarship at Odessa College in Texas to start in August 2022. This is a great opportunity for him to pursue his passion for riding.
Jack was also successful in obtaining a place in the U15 Mini Bull NRA finals for 2021 after qualifying sixth. He also competed in the U18 Bull Riding finals last year. At the end of the finals series Jack secured a 1st and 2nd, eventually finishing with a second for the finals series in U15 Mini bull and a fourth in the U18 Junior Bull finals. Jack has qualified to ride at the 2022 Youth Bull Riders World Finals in Texas in the 15 years Bull Riding section. Jack will continue his quest to make the NRA finals again this year through competing in as many rodeos as possible around Queensland.
The Bode family are seeking sponsorship for Ben and Jack to help them represent Australia in bull riding. Contributions would assist in travel costs, nomination fees, bull riding equipment, boots and hats.
If you would like to know more, please contact Jason Bode on 0427878018, email jtbode@bigpond.net.au or Tania on 0428330515, email tlbode74@gmail.com.
