Australian Professional Rodeo Association - APRA

𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐀𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐭 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐑𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐨 𝐒𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐜 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐑𝐌 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧.

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Announcing our 2026 Ariat National Finals Rodeo Personnel! 🤠

✨Announcers - Glenn Morgan and Terry Murray
✨Arena Director - Jim Willoughby
✨Chute Boss - Tom Durbidge
✨Timekeepers - Tara Lovett and Ruth O'Donoghue
✨Bull Fighters - Josh Birks and Luke Rosetta
✨Pick Up Men - Peter Kelly and Gene McDonald

Can't wait to see these cowboys and cowgirls in the arena at the NFR!
Get your tickets at prorodeo.com.au🔥

Australian Made in Toowoomba — Circle L Australia felt hats come in 10X, 20X, 40X, 60X and 100X, hand shaped just how you like em'. Proudly Australian owned and operated and Proud Partners of the 2026 APRA NFR. 🇦🇺

Check the full range out at circlel.com.au

𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 - 𝐑𝐨𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐩

As you know from last week’s post, it is almost two years ago that I hit the road chasing stories for a short commercial for the 2024 APRA National Finals, celebrating 80 years of professional rodeo in Australia. I was new to video, short on footage and definitely learning as I went, but I knew I needed something more. So I packed the cameras and went looking for the stories. And somehow, we pulled something together.

One of the past champions I got to visit was our long-time friend and fellow steer wrestler, 𝑹𝒐𝒅𝒏𝒆𝒚 “𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒑𝒚” 𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒑.

Affectionately known as ‘𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒑𝒚’ around the rodeo scene, these days you’ll find him at his little leatherwork workshop in the barn at his farm, ‘Kick Back Ranch’, near Young, NSW.
Thorpy learned his leatherwork craft from another dear friend and cowboy who he looked up to, Lenny Kimber.

Back in 2004, Thorpy chased down his Australian Steer Wrestling Championship Title. He remembers the long miles travelling with great mates Lee & Lenny Kimber, Kev Reynolds and Neville McCarthy, and the years of training and dedication it took to get there.

Working as a concreter during the day, Thorpy would be up training before and after work, with Mel right there beside him. She’d be opening the box, running steers up and dragging the steer saver. She knew how much it meant to him and was always there supporting the dream.
And it didn't stop at home. Mel would try to make most rodeos and she'd be there with her old video camcorder in hand, filming his run so they could sit down later and watch it back. She'd give her thoughts, offer feedback and help Thorpy find those little improvements that can make all the difference. Long before phones and instant replays, she was his biggest supporter and one of his most trusted coaches.

These days, Thorpy and his beautiful wife Mel live on the property, running a few cattle and a couple of very loved Border Collies, who didn’t want to miss out on the spotlight.

Thorpy also fondly remembers his greatest mate, 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆𝒓. A talented bulldogging horse who took him to the finals that year and ultimately helped him win that gold buckle.
𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆𝒓 is now buried at Kick Back Ranch, down beside the return lane of the arena, his name painted proudly alongside the other great horses who have passed.

Thorpy might not be sitting on the left side of the box these days, but you’ll still find him on the hazing side, helping cowboys and giving back to the sport he loves.
He regularly takes young fellas under his wing, teaching them the skills of bulldogging in the very same arena at home.

Thanks again, Thorpy not just for the friendship, but for welcoming me in at such short notice and helping me tell a little piece of your story.

Hopefully we’ll see you back at Marrar on hazing duties again this September.

I guess you could call that 'Throwback Thursday' I will keep trying to share old stories from the archives each week.

📷 Kelly Martyn Photography

Australian Professional Rodeo Association - APRA

Your 2026 Junior Team Roping Heeling Champion - Wyatt Gill 🤠⚡️

At only 12 years old, Wyatt Gill proved he was good enough to mix it with the big kids at the Junior NFR. The Comet, Queensland cowboy, at his first ever NFR, placed in every round and the average of the Junior Team Roping Heeling to claim the gold buckle. He admitted that he “was a little nervous” at the beginning of the NFR, not knowing what to expect. The nerves crept back after the second round when the young cowboy realised he was a chance for the title. “I felt a bit of pressure going into round three. I just focused on trying to get a time on the board.”

One of only two competitors to successfully get three times on the board, it was Wyatt’s consistency throughout the rounds that saw him claim the title. Roping on his mum’s well-known gelding ‘Destination’ was a confidence boost, as was partnering with one of the greats, Shane Kenny. “Destination will always get you there and roping with Shane was exciting.” Wyatt would like to thank the Kenny family for all of their help and his Mum and Dad for helping him achieve this big win.

As one of the youngest competitors to ever win a junior title, Wyatt has no plans of slowing down. This season he plans to keep his roping consistent and make the National Finals again to defend his title.

Article - Jane Ryan
📸 - Caitlan Ash Photography

Do you want to trade at the Ariat National Finals Rodeo?

We're looking for the best food and cowboy goods to join us for the NFR at White Park, Scone, 29-31 October🌮🍕🍔🛒🛍️

Submit your Trade EOI by Monday 31st August: prorodeo.com.au/nfr-2026/

Day Members entries are open today and tomorrow
👉prorodeo.com.au/calendar-2

Ariat Australia Athletes know what it takes to perform at the highest level.

With the 2026 NFR in sight, they’re counting on Ariat gear to keep them comfortable, confident and ready for every ride.

📸 - Little Photographer. The Chute Shooter.