Fifteen Year-Old Banned From Aussie Rodeo

Fifteen-year-old Ayshea Clements of Palmwoods, Queensland, Australia started her roughstock career riding calves as a twelve year-old. It was her response to a $2 challenge from her dad at a rodeo in Kenilworth. Much to their surprise, Ayshea not only earned his $2 but added another $10 for taking first place! She's had the rodeo bug ever since.

Currently a grade eleven student in high school, Ayshea lives about 5 kilometres (approx 3 miles) outside of Palmwoods and has a younger sister, Kerrie, now riding calves while brother, Ben, competes in mutton busting. As there are no rodeos where she lives, Ayshea does what her North American counterparts have been doing for years. She hits the road. Travelling hundreds of kilometres at times to ride in small town events held on hotel and public grounds. "I am very grateful to my parents who pay the $35 entry fee to get into the rodeo so that mum can stress until I have finished my ride and am able to walk away unharmed with a smile on my face".

In March of 1999, Ayshea decided to make the jump from calves and steers (after consistent victories) into junior bulls. "In Australia, we don't ride cows." Ayshea said. "This means that there is only one animal left to ride, and that's the BULL!!" There was just one minor problem, the Queensland Amateur Rodeo Circuit was not about to let a girl compete in bull riding. "All the time I just keep getting told 'No.' The more they said 'No' the more I was determined to fight for my rights."

After a small amount of pressure from supporters, both Ayshea and Peta Browne (Whose dad, Graham, competed in the CPRA.) were allowed to compete in the QARC's Junior Steer Riding head to head with their male counterparts. With this victory tucked away, the gals decided it was time to find other arenas and purchased memberships in the National Rodeo Association.

However, NRA President, Bill Urquhart, was not about to let girls compete in their "Boys" Steer Riding citing the possibilities of "lost pregnancy" and perhaps being touched in sensitive areas during bullfighter's rescue attempts. His remarks, in defense of NRA policy, prompted Ayshea's parents, Mick and Joanne Clements, to hire a solicitor and launch a legal challenge. Australian Human Rights Commission officials, upon receiving notice of the NRA's dual standard, also began an investigation.

After interviewing the parties involved, the Human Rights Commission concluded that the NRA was within its rights, as a private organization with voluntary membership, to decide who could or could not compete in its sanctioned events. Urquhart confirmed through lawyers that "Female competitors are more than welcome provided that they enter appropriate and approved events." There are no plans to change the current policy.

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