IT’S often called the toughest sport on dirt, and spectators will find out why when the famous Gill Bros presents the annual rodeo at the 2025 Moree Show on April 25.
Gill Bros Rodeo, an icon on the Australian show circuit, is a seventh generation family business established by Stanley and Violet Gill in the late 1800s – around the same time Moree hosted its inaugural show – and the rodeo has been a Friday night staple at the two-day Moree Show for decades.
And the Anzac Day edition, affiliated with the Australian Bushmen’s Campdraft and Rodeo Association, is tipped to be one of the best.
ABCRA is Australia’s largest non-profit equine sporting organisation, formed in 1946 for the purpose of co-ordinating and assisting affiliated committees conduct rodeo, campdraft, challenge, sorting and penning events.
Gill Bros have been an institution across Australia for more than a century, and spectators will find out why when the chutes fly back at 6pm in the campdraft arena, near the northern end of Moree showground.
Moree Show Society secretary Karen Munn said the April 25-26 entertainment roster also features V8 Trackskill Ute Show, and ring events including the farmers’ challenge, demolition derby, ute barrel racing and the long-awaited return of wood-chopping.
“We have some amazing entertainment this year,” Mrs Munn said.
The Moree Show Young Woman competition will again feature this year, with 2024 Moree Show Young Rural Woman Brydi Holmes preparing to pass the baton.
The competition, won in recent years by Brooke Muller (2023), Jessica Towns (2022), Laura Penfold (2021), Emily Ryan (2019), Bronte Marshall (2018) and Kate Lumber (2017) is steeped in history.
Horse events and showjumping, a yard dog competition, pet show, poultry competition, pavilion displays and even a live snake display are some of the many features at the April 25-26 Moree Show.
Sideshow alley, with all the favourite including show bags, dagwood dogs and fairy floss, is expected to be jam-packed.
On Sunday, April 27 from 7am, team penning will be held for the first time, with free entry for the public.
“Team penning is a team sport in which the objective for each three-rider team, on horseback, is to separate three specific type of identifiable cattle from a herd of 30,” Mrs Munn said.
The sport is fast-paced, in which the riders, after separating the cattle, also have to move them to a pen through a small opening. The pen is located at the opposite end of the arena.
“The sport requires complete teamwork to successfully identify and cut out the right beast, move it back to the pen, and prevent the other cattle from straying,” Karen said.
The events are timed, and teams have to complete the tasks before a set time limit.
The team with the fastest time is the winner.
Gates for the two-day Moree Show open at midday on April 25. Gill Bros Rodeo is scheduled for Friday night, and show entry includes admission to the toughest sport on dirt.
Image courtesy of Bootface Photography: https://www.bootface-photography.com/
2025 Moree Show
When: Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26, with team penning events Sunday, April 26
Where: Moree Showground
Times: Friday (Anzac Day) from midday until late; Saturday from around 7am (ring events) until late.
