Rodeo
Photo: Peter Dwyer
C R Hancock & Son and the Open Bullock ride go hand in hand as sponsors for as long as current memories can recall, this is an outstanding commitment. The first days of rodeo evolved in the North East corner of the ring, it then moved to the current camp draft site, then to the pens near the current broad casting box to its second last location in portable yards north of the new arena. This new arena was built in 2009 and was used at the 2010 show for the first time with much success.
From the days when buckjumpers were blindfolded and snubbed to posts for lean, hard bushmen to ride through to the modern day super fit athletes riding educated bucking stock, Barraba has had competitors in the Rodeo world. The names of Bert Byrnes, Ollie Lillis, Jack Hill, John Witten, Harry Eames Snr., and Ross Berry are from the early days. Ray Simpson won the steer ride at Barraba Show for years. Owen Munson was another horseman from that era.
No one will doubt the effect of Gordon “Crow” Faulkner on Rodeo in Barraba. The buckjump shows run by Crow just south of town along with buckjump shows at Cobbadah pub were the breeding grounds for riders such as John Lillis, John Monckton, Ron and Charlie Derrick, boys who took the Barraba name overseas with success. Maurice Potter, Pablo Heywood, Cliffy West, Viv McIIrick and Tom Berry also came in this era.
Bill Hannaford, Bill Croll, Bing Howson, Wayne Blackford and the Phillpott boys carried the Barraba men around the country. There were many good riders through these years with Greg Smith, Paul Hodges and Rod Cameron being some that competed successfully.
Names keep cropping up in Rodeo and the Kelly name, John, Bill, Pip, Peter, David, Adam and Logan were great rough riders. They took Barraba to the world stage and won world titles. Bill and Pip Kelly were national names when it came to pick up men on the rodeo circuit. Now Dave and Peter Kelly carry on this tradition.
The Taylors from Athol to his son Dusty, grandsons Joe, Dan and John and great son Joel who is still competing successfully were all from Barraba. Another family was Jimmy Wilkinson, his son Phillip and his grandsons Clint and Troy.
Another family being Dubbo, Victor, Shane & Casey Turner - all renowned riders in their own right.
John and Pud Freeman were good riders whose names come to mind. Jarrod Martin, Phillip Peters, Rusty Hannaford, Allan Croll, Shaun Spence, the Riley boys and Timmy Coombes came along and some are still competing at the top level, including Mitch Steiger in Australia and overseas.
Leon Cummins, another Barraba local was involved in Rodeo competition and clown entertainment through the years and his son Brody is now making his name in the sport. The latest to venture overseas, Ryan Gill and Bill Tonkin.
Riders from other towns have moved to Barraba after their careers have ended. Jim Coombes and Tim Clarke are two who come to mind. The Rodeo family of Malcolm and Eddie Gill have moved to the area with rodeo stock and will only ensure that the future of rodeo has a place in Barraba’s future. What great recognition and achievements for a small country town.
There are many names involved in rodeo both as competitors and organisers that have been missed in this brief history. To these people we apologise and assure you that it wasn’t done on purpose.
From the days when buckjumpers were blindfolded and snubbed to posts for lean, hard bushmen to ride through to the modern day super fit athletes riding educated bucking stock, Barraba has had competitors in the Rodeo world. The names of Bert Byrnes, Ollie Lillis, Jack Hill, John Witten, Harry Eames Snr., and Ross Berry are from the early days. Ray Simpson won the steer ride at Barraba Show for years. Owen Munson was another horseman from that era.
No one will doubt the effect of Gordon “Crow” Faulkner on Rodeo in Barraba. The buckjump shows run by Crow just south of town along with buckjump shows at Cobbadah pub were the breeding grounds for riders such as John Lillis, John Monckton, Ron and Charlie Derrick, boys who took the Barraba name overseas with success. Maurice Potter, Pablo Heywood, Cliffy West, Viv McIIrick and Tom Berry also came in this era.
Bill Hannaford, Bill Croll, Bing Howson, Wayne Blackford and the Phillpott boys carried the Barraba men around the country. There were many good riders through these years with Greg Smith, Paul Hodges and Rod Cameron being some that competed successfully.
Names keep cropping up in Rodeo and the Kelly name, John, Bill, Pip, Peter, David, Adam and Logan were great rough riders. They took Barraba to the world stage and won world titles. Bill and Pip Kelly were national names when it came to pick up men on the rodeo circuit. Now Dave and Peter Kelly carry on this tradition.
The Taylors from Athol to his son Dusty, grandsons Joe, Dan and John and great son Joel who is still competing successfully were all from Barraba. Another family was Jimmy Wilkinson, his son Phillip and his grandsons Clint and Troy.
Another family being Dubbo, Victor, Shane & Casey Turner - all renowned riders in their own right.
John and Pud Freeman were good riders whose names come to mind. Jarrod Martin, Phillip Peters, Rusty Hannaford, Allan Croll, Shaun Spence, the Riley boys and Timmy Coombes came along and some are still competing at the top level, including Mitch Steiger in Australia and overseas.
Leon Cummins, another Barraba local was involved in Rodeo competition and clown entertainment through the years and his son Brody is now making his name in the sport. The latest to venture overseas, Ryan Gill and Bill Tonkin.
Riders from other towns have moved to Barraba after their careers have ended. Jim Coombes and Tim Clarke are two who come to mind. The Rodeo family of Malcolm and Eddie Gill have moved to the area with rodeo stock and will only ensure that the future of rodeo has a place in Barraba’s future. What great recognition and achievements for a small country town.
There are many names involved in rodeo both as competitors and organisers that have been missed in this brief history. To these people we apologise and assure you that it wasn’t done on purpose.
Left: Viv McIlrick winner of the buck jump riding "Flying Mailman". Right: Jim Jones second in the buck jumping events.1949.
