50 Years in Rodeo Charles Ambrose Smith
A larger than life character that is described by his mates as a ‘True Champion inside and outside the arena.’ He loved to pull a prank, didn’t mind having a blue, but most of all loved to Rodeo. Born in Cunnamulla, one of five children, the only son to four daughters, Rita, Fay, Mary and Ina, he was especially close to Rita. Charlie grew up on the land, his father Wally was a drover, so you could say he was born in the saddle. Wally, also known as Poley, had a special way with horses and dogs and passed on the same gift to Charlie. There are parts of the song ‘Cunnamulla Fella’ sung by Slim Dusty that describe Charlie’s life and personality.
Spending most of his younger year’s droving the stock routes with Wally in QLD and NSW poking along behind mobs of cattle and sheep for months on end, until his father’s passing in Wilcannia 1974, Charlie was
