The Sweeney name is big in thoroughbred racing circles today.
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But before there were Ken and Phil Sweeney, there was their father, Lionel Sweeney.
While his sons and their children have followed their love of horses into racing - as jockeys and trainers - Lionel’s passion was in rodeos.
And he became so famous as a pickup rider in the region, one of the biggest awards of the Deniliquin Rodeo is named after him.
The Lionel Sweeney Memorial Saddle Bronc Ride was created following Lionel’s death in 2001.
It is the single largest prize being offered at this weekend’s Easter Saturday Rodeo, with a purse of $4000.
The bull ride prize has a purse of $3000, indicating the growth of the bronco section of the rodeo.
Lionel’s daughter Judy Cully said while her dad was not famous all over the world, his skills were certainly renowned within a 300km-400km radius of his home town of Jerilderie.
He was so well regarded, in fact, he was part of a contingent invited to meet Queen Elizabeth II when she visited Flemington Racecourse in 1954.
“We’re not sure if he actually met the Queen, or just did a demonstration for her, but it was pretty special,” Judy said.
“As a pickup man, it was dad’s job to take the cowboys off their horses after they had finished competing.
“They would ride in pairs - one would grab the cowboy, and the other would free the bronco from their straps.
“It can actually be quite a dangerous job.
“Some have been killed over the years, including one man who filled in for dad at one event.
“There were also many injuries over the years.”
Judy said her father, who was born in September 1925, had always been into horses. He worked with them too, running a log team.
“He was a spectacular horseman and stockman; his life was horses,” Judy said.
“He had two main horses, Jack and Splinter, and a smaller one called Smokey. Dad mainly rode Splinter.
“When dad was a bit older, he got his trainer’s licence for thoroughbreds. Kenny took over that licence and has raced at Flemington and Adelaide.
“Phil got his own licence eventually, and trained at Jerilderie until his death.”
Judy said the honour bestowed by the Deniliquin Rodeo in naming an award after her father was not just because of his skills as a horseman.
She said he was also well regarded as simply a good bloke.
And such was the camaraderie in rodeo circles, his friendliness meant the family got to meet so many different people from different backgrounds.
“Never can I remember not having someone else’s feet under the dinner table for a meal,” Judy recalled.
“Dad would always be bring someone home with him and helping them if they needed it.
“So many of the cowboys would come and help him out on the property when not on the circuit.
“We also cared for some of the circus animals from one of the rodeo sideshow companies at one stage.
“They dropped off a monkey at one point, but we drew the line when they asked us to look after a lion.
“We had such a great upbringing, meeting the people dad would bring home.
“Mum (Pat) and dad also looked after quite a few of the local children, taking them in as needed.”
Deniliquin Rodeo committee member Alan Calderwood said a strong contender for the Lionel Sweeney Memorial prize this year is Toby Collins from Maldon, Victoria.
Nominating for the Deniliquin event, Collins is currently the leading All Round Cowboy on the Australian Pro Rodeo Association circuit.
“He is competing on McPhee’s Each Time in the saddle bronc, and is worth watching out for,” Calderwood said.
The saddle bronc is one of many thrill-seeking events that will feature at tomorrow night’s Deniliquin Rodeo.
Other open events include the bull ride, bareback broncs, rope and tie, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel race and breakaway roping.
There will also be second division saddle bronc, bull ride and bareback bronc competitions.
Junior cowboys and cowgirls also get their chance to compete, in the steer ride, barrel race, breakaway roping, team roping and bull ride sections.
Adding to the thrills and spills will be the pen riders challenge, Pub Steer Ride and, for the first time, mini bulls divisions for under-12s and under 10s.
You’ll also get to see Australia’s most famous stockman - Lachie Cossor - in action in the main arena this Saturday.
Known as the Outback Stockman, his show is a tribute to the skills of past and present stockmen, offering a true depiction of the unique Australian character.
The performance combines humour, education, and exceptional horsemanship, providing audiences with a glimpse into outback life, both past and present.
Sideshows, merchandise, catering and a bar will also operate at the Deniliquin Rodeo Arena off Racecourse Rd, Deniliquin.
The family friendly rodeo entertainment gets under way in the afternoon with heats and live music, with the twilight action then kicking off from about 5pm.
For information and a link for ticket sales via ticketbo.com.au, head to the Deniliquin Rodeo Facebook page.
Senior journalist