South-East Queensland’s premier annual rodeo and campdraft event is set to welcome more than 30,000 cowboys and cowgirls from the city, beach and beyond as the country calls.
The annual 2024 Ariat Warwick Rodeo & Pryde’s EasiFeed Warwick Gold Cup Campdraft, claimed as ‘Australia’s Most Famous Rodeo’, will be held from 21 – 27 October boasting a mix of sports, live entertainment and tourism festivities, drawing a crowd of country enthusiasts.
Attendees will enjoy iconic rodeo competitions like the Saddle Bronc, Open Bull Ride, Open Bareback, and Ladies Barrel Race, alongside the prestigious Pryde’s Easifeed Warwick Gold Cup Campdraft – the crowning jewel in the event’s calendar showing off elite skills on horseback.
Current Rodeo Queen Jessie Nott has spent the past year switching between her diesel mechanic uniform and her crown and sash, after taking out the title at last year’s event.
The 29-year-old Barrel Racer is passionate about her sport and has taken her royal status seriously, spending her time outside the oil rig talking at local schools and to those who might like to learn more about rodeo.
“Barrel Racing is the women’s rodeo event, and it’s a timed-event with the fastest time to win – it’s really action-packed and once you start heading for the finish line, the crowd goes wild,” Ms Nott said.
“I’ve been doing it for about 15 years, but I have been the Rodeo Queen for just one year – I will soon be handing over my crown to the new queen just before the October event, who will be picked based not only on her horse skills in the ring, but on her knowledge and presentation to the group.”
But it’s not just Rodeo kings and queens battling it out, the event itself brings competition from all across Australia, with more than $270,000 in prize money on offer for its rodeo and campdraft events.
The much-loved Warwick event dates back to the 1940s and continues to celebrate the legacy of rodeo sports and campdraft as well as the Warwick community, bringing about $1.5 million to the local economy annually.
Many tourists flock to Warwick every year to enjoy the country music, live entertainment and what the country communities have to offer and they are equally as enthralled with the local hospitality and sociable nature of people in the country.
Campdrafting events will kick off the event from 5am Monday 21 October, with free entry from Monday to Wednesday. The Rodeo events will begin Thursday 24 October at 6pm with the prestigious ‘Gold Cup Campdraft’ held over the weekend, along with live music and entertainment.
Find tickets and camping info at warwickrodeo.com.au
