Back in the Saddle

─ Dadanawa cowboy participates in Rodeo after life threatening accident

DPI, Guyana, Sunday, April 21, 2019

Thirty-nine-year-old Odo Peters fearlessly participated in several scheduled events despite being seriously wounded from a motor cycle accident merely days before the Rupununi Rodeo. Peters, who hails from Dadanawa Ranch in South Rupununi, said he makes it his duty every year to be a part of making history while competing in Rodeo activities.

Cowboy and Rodeo performer, Odo Peters.

Some of these activities would include steer roping, calf roping, wild bull riding, saddle bronc horse, bareback bronco, ribbon roping just to name a few. Peters further explained that though he was confident about competing, he assessed his performance as not his best.

“This year was a really weak year for me simply because I got into an accident just a few days ago. But I am still here… I can be considered one of the biggest cowboys in the Rupununi.”

According to Peters, the accident occurred while he was riding at night when, “my light bulb blew off, I couldn’t see where I was going”.

Nevertheless, he turned up and gave of his best at the two-day event in Lethem. With his face painted, he explained that not only is it part of his Rodeo look, but an innovative way of hiding the scars from the accident. Peters said he did not want others to look at him and think he was so badly hurt that he could not perform. He just wanted to entertain.

When asked what fuelled this passion, he replied, “… with these activities, it is one of the sports we are born and grow with; me for especially, I always love it. I was never a cricketer, I was never a footballer but I am a professional rider representing locally and even in Brazil, Barbados, Trinidad.”

Peters explained that he soon wants to retire from riding so that he could spend time with his wife and five daughters. Peters, who will be forty in November 2019, noted that someone younger must pick up the mantle and forge ahead in this particular sport since thousands of people will travel from all over to come and see Rodeo performers like him compete.

However, before he retires, he plans to extend his competition boundaries beyond local and neighbouring borders. “Soon I’ll be going to America, specifically Las Vegas and try out with those guys, I’ve already tried with my friends from Brazil.”

Last Year, Peters scored high points and copped top positions in the categories of bull riding, bareback bronco and calf roping along with others. This year, he went a bit further and even participated in a freestyle dance competition where he was the only one brave enough to take on the music and wowed those in attendance.

Delicia Haynes.

Images: Keno George.