Three hundred volunteers worked in heavy rain to ensure a wet Warwick Rodeo was a resounding success.
Warwick Show and Rodeo Society president Dot Jephcott said the rodeo went well for the conditions.
“We had a lot of rain during the week but our 300 volunteers made it possible,” she said.
Despite the leadup being cloudy but dry, rain fell during most of the Pryce’s EasiFeed Warwick Gold Cup final and started after the first four runs in the Ascot Canning Downs Campdraft.
There were no falls in either final as the horses and riders showed outstanding skills in rainy conditions on a wet surface.
On Sunday on a very wet surface, all 15 finalists in the barrel race negotiated the slippery course and some were even scored under 18 seconds.
The rain didn’t worry the rough stock riders quite as much.
One Saturday night, the bulls performed with most cowboys landing on the muddy soil at the Warwick Showgrounds before the eight-second bell.
The international saddle bronc ride on the Saturday night was won by Jake Finlay from Goondiwindi.
Hopes for a massive crowd on free Sunday were dashed when rain appeared certain from mid morning and the rain gods didn’t disappoint.
Meantime, Gympie cowboy Ian Allen was the oldest in the field in the steer wrestling at the 2026 Warwick Rodeo.
At age 73, he might also be the oldest in Australia for an event which involves diving from a running horse and wrestling a steer to the ground.
His last major win was his hometown rodeo at Gympie at age 71 when six of his seven grandchildren were watching.
While he now concentrates on one event, Allen has competed in the rope and tie, bull ride, saddle bronc, bareback bronc ride, wild cow milking and wild horse racing down the years.
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