For the Gill family, who are busy preparing for their 10th Gil Mathew Wagga Pro Rodeo, this is a “lifestyle”.
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John Gill and his three sons were unable to get a committee together and have been preparing for Saturday’s event by themselves, which will see at least 4000 people flock to the Equex Centre.
The 81-year-old was “born” into this business and said he is the oldest member of any rodeo station in the world.
“I’ve been in the business for 81 years and I joined the Australian Professional Rodeo Association in 1946 when I was nine-years-old,” Mr Gill said.
“It’s a lifestyle and I love the atmosphere and people in it.”
Mr Gill said in the past and early years of Australian rodeo, Wagga was a “real centre point” for rodeo riders.
“This was back in the 1930s and the APRA was first discussed here at the Romano’s Hotel,” he said.
The audience can expect some live stock thrills, which are all bred locally at The Rock and Mr Gill said the stock are all educated for at least 18 months before they go to rodeo.
While the best bulls and broncs will line up for the seniors there is a big push to encourage the younger generation with prizes up for grabs.
“This year instead of focusing on all the top names we’re concentrating on the novice riders or second division fellas,” Mr Gill said.
“We’ve put up trophy buckles for those boys this year for bull riding, bronc riding, bareback bronc and steer riding.”
The event will host a “special” contest for the children and a prize will be awarded to the one that “bucks the best” on a rubber bull.
Cowboy Jason McDonald rides bareback horses and is revving up for February 9.
“I’m chasing the rookie title this year and I moved down here a year ago from Rockhampton to get into rodeo, because this is the place for rodeo,” Mr McDonald said.
“I’ve been all around Australia but if you want to be the best, this is where you’ve got to be.”
Mr McDonald said he does not get nervous going out into the rink and “loves it”.
“I’ve had a few injuries, some broken bones but it doesn’t stop me at all,” he said.
“You crave it, it’s all you think about and when you go to sleep you just think about the weekend.”
Guy Clarke is from central west Queensland and has been in the rodeo business throughout the state and up to the Northern Territory and then moved to Wagga for its central location.
“You’ve got the best stock and the best rodeos down here and if you want to be a champion, you have to chase that sort of thing,” Mr Clarke said.
“Every weekend you can get to a rodeo, you don't have to catch a plane, it’s only a small drive to get onto some decent stock and earn some points.”
Mr Clarke said he loves the atmosphere of the crowds and it’s a “good show wherever you go”.
“Yeah there’s pretty outstanding crowds everywhere you go and it’s all pretty positive,” he said.
Despite suffering a broken wrist over the Christmas period, Mr Clarke said it would never stop him.
“A horse sort of played up in the box over the Christmas run and it was another contractor and broke my wrist, but it’s sort of healing up and I’ll be ready to go,” he said.
