The one and only ‘Winton Whiz’, the world’s most idolised saddle bronc ridder Ray Hermann, will be honoured for his incredible career with a life-sized bronze statue.
The $135,000 statue weighing approximately 500kg will be unveiled during the Winton 150th Anniversary celebration in April.
The statue was taken from a photo captured by Darryl Doyle, of Ray riding the late Peter Gills buckjumper named Brock at Dingo Rodeo in 1985.
Ray is known as the world’s most successful saddle bronc rider champion, after winning numerous prestigious titles, including seven Australian saddle bronc titles (1980-1985, 1987), and two world titles (1978, 1981).
Ray is the three-time winner of the most saddle bronc titles in the world and holds the record of competing in 96 rodeos in one year (1987), winning 40 of them.
Ray shared how delighted he was with the result.
“I’m happy with the outcome,” he said.
“Now people can remember someone from a rural town like Winton, has made worldwide headlines for bronc riding.
“I think it’s also important for people to recognise and remember the sport. Hopefully, it will encourage more people to give it a go.”
Diamantina Rodeo and Campdraft Association secretary Patrice Elliott said preparations for the statue have been in the ‘works’ for some time.
“Our committee have talked about doing this for a long time but we couldn’t find enough funding,” she said.
“My husband Mike didn’t give up and asked for help from the Winton Shire Council to get it off the ground.
“People from all walks of life look up to those around them who have achieved outstanding results in their chosen sport, but opportunities for a small community to lay claim to someone who has achieved as much as Ray Hermann are few and far between.”
The Winton Campdraft Association now hopes to raise the remaining $33,000 to fund the statue.
“It’s an incredible milestone for Ray and the community and we want to ensure Ray’s story is never forgotten,” Patrice said.
“If anyone is interested in donating please contact us today.”
Since a young age, Ray idolised the thought of being a cowboy when he was older.
When he was old enough to walk, he lived and breathed among horses, helping on his Winton family farm to then drop out of school and work in mustering camps at the age of 14.
“When I was 15 I began riding bulls and broncs at rodeos and found a real passion for it,” Ray said.
“From there the rest is history.
“Although I can’t read or write, I’m impressed with how well I organised everything back then. It was challenging but I got the job done.”
Thanks to Ray’s unique riding style and unbreakable determination, he quickly became a jaw-dropping phenomenon after winning his first World Saddle Bronc Championship at 19 years old in 1978.
“I’ve always had a special ‘nack’ where other people couldn’t win on a horse, but I could,” Ray said.
“You have to move with the horse and make them buck.
“Due to my style of holding the rains, my fast feet and the way I spurred them, it helped push me over the line.”
After his very successful career, numerous broken bones, and too many ‘close calls’, Ray in his early 50s retired from his once beloved sport in 2013.
Now 66 years old, the retired champion resides with his partner Sonia on their 22-acre property outside Winton.
Although his bronc riding chapter has closed, Ray is still heavily involved with horses, now training race horses in his spare time.
