Sport
17 August, 2023
Record-breaking rodeo rocks Kilcoy
A sellout crowd was treated to a memorable day of action as the annual Kilcoy Rodeo took place at the Kilcoy Showgrounds on Saturday, August 5.
With 3500 tickets having been sold several days beforehand, there were plenty of locals as well as visitors from around Queensland and NSW, plus some travellers from overseas.
Kilcoy Rodeo Committee Inc secretary Maddison Smith said “attendance figures were the highest we have ever seen” while “the grounds were in some of the best conditions we’ve had in the whole time of running the rodeo (since 2017)”.
“We did require a water truck during the day on Saturday to settle the dust, but otherwise conditions were near perfect,” she said.
With more than $11,000 in prize money on offer, Ms Smith said the rodeo was a success in all ways as there was a great crowd and excellent entertainment from the cowboys and cowgirls.
Having been a hit at other regional rodeos, the mini bull ride category was included at Kilcoy for the first time and drew more than 40 competitors.
Ms Smith said the mini bull rides were great entertainment and certainly showcased some of the up-and-coming rodeo stars.
“The bull rides always prove popular with the crowd, but the mini bull ride certainly impressed rodeo goers, as expected,” she said.
“We had great numbers in all junior events which is always really great to see.”
Once again the Kilcoy Rodeo benefited the Help Hudson Hear Charity, as Hudson’s Heroes collected 10-cent recyclables.
Hudson’s Heroes not only kept the area tidy but also surpassed last year’s figure of $1,572.20.
Another feature this year involved the crowd having the chance to jump into the rodeo arena as soon as the last bull bucked, for Kilcoy’s best rendition of the nut bush.
Hundreds of people joined in for the occasion which generated ample amusement.
Afterwards, the band Killing Time entertained the crowd long into the night, with the band loving the Kilcoy crowd while the feeling from the crowd appeared mutual.
“We want to say a big thank you again to our sponsors, as well as a big shout out to the community organisations who volunteered their time to help run the rodeo,” Ms Smith said.
“We wouldn’t have been able to pull it off without their help, and we are very grateful.”
RESULTS
Open bull ride winner Jack McArthur, 2nd Cooper Snowdon;
Novice bull ride winner Wesley McDonald;
U18 Junior bull ride winner Wesley McDonald;
Saddle Bronc winner Michael Neylon;
Bareback bronc winner Kielan Cox;
Rope and tie winner Thomas Whitwell;
Steer wrestling winner Chris McGahan;
Team roping winners Brock Eastwell and Steven Augustin;
Open breakaway roping winner Peta Browne;
U18 Breakaway roping winner Miley Hart;
Open Barrel Race winner Tammy O’Neil;
Junior Barrel Race winner Montana Dunn;
U15 Mini Bull winner Billy Gallaway;
7-12 Mini Bull winners Hunter Coutts and Sid Geran.
