By Lucy Waldron
It was a heartfelt weekend for Warwick local Jorja Hill as she bagged her first calf in the roping event after a challenging two-year hiatus.
Jorja had faced setbacks with bad breakaways and accidents, denting her confidence. But 6 January saw the stars align, the gates opened and she took off with her sights set on the black and white calf running in front. As if in slow motion, the rope glided through the air and landed itself on the cow, tears filled Jorja’s eyes as she caught the calf.
“I have no words to describe that moment; it felt like everything just fell into place,” Jorja said.
While the roping victory marked a significant moment, Jorja’s true passion lies in barrel racing. The exhilarating rush of adrenaline when she enters the gate and showcasing the synergy with her horse is what captivates her.
2024 holds ambitious plans for Jorja, aiming to participate in more rodeos alongside her regular barrel racing jackpots.
As the Rodeo Princess titleholder at the Warwick Show and Rodeo Society’s Queen Quest 2023, she is set to take part in the Grand Entry of the 2024 Warwick Rodeo, engaging in promotional activities leading up to the event and crowning the next year’s winners.
Jorja has big plans for 2024 and breaking her bad luck streak with calf roping is just the beginning.
“I am working on making it to the National Rodeo Association finals at the end of the year, whether that will be for barrel racing or breakaway or both,” Jorja said.
With newfound confidence and a triumphant start to the year, Jorja Hill is set to leave an indelible mark in the rodeo circuit in 2024.
