From the Mayor

There has been such a lot happening in Martinborough lately that it’s been hard to keep up.  We’ve seen our old favourite events like the Martinborough Fairs and also newer initiatives like Brew Day and the infamous bull riding.

 I say infamous because several conversations I’ve had around this event have highlighted some strong opinions for and against.  Those against use words like exploitation and cruelty while those for talk about fun and bravery.  As a person who rides horses, I could hardly call bull riding cruel then saddle up and for a leisurely trot down a country lane.  That would be double standards so I headed off to the bull riding to judge for myself.

The first thing that struck me was the big crowd and the cross section of locals in that crowd.  Happily contributing our entry fee to the Martinborough Rugby Club, we all sat down to watch the contest of man against beast.  Actually it wasn’t much of a contest as the beast won hands down. 

Even the cowboys who managed to stay on for the regulatory eight seconds had an interesting time getting off.  It seems there is no easy way to dismount a bucking bull.  You can’t say “Whoa Trigger” and nonchalantly step down like Roy Rogers.  Nope, the only way off is the airborne route followed by a thump on the ground. 

After removing his cowboy, (which they all did pretty rapidly) the bull sprongs around a bit until the gate is opened then he calmly trots back to his pen.  On the way you can almost hear him quoting Sir Ed, “Well I knocked that bastard off” or maybe Clint Eastwood, “Go ahead, make my hay”.