What’s Happening?
Australia’s leading saddle bronc cowboys are heading to Warwick, determined to claim their first Cinch International Australian Bronc Match title.
The competition takes place on Saturday, 24 October 2026, during the Warwick Rodeo and Gold Cup Campdraft.
Victoria’s Bailey O’Dell leads a strong Australian field featuring national champions, emerging riders and cowboys with international experience.
They will face American challengers Shorty Garrett, Gus Gaillard and Zac Dallas, who hope to extend their country’s winning streak.
Why It Matters
Australian cowboys have another opportunity to claim a championship that has gone to American competitors in both previous editions.
Cash Wilson of South Dakota won the inaugural contest at Scone in 2024. Brody Wells of Wyoming followed in Warwick in 2025.
However, this year’s Australian invitation field includes some of the country’s most successful riders.
Australian Bronc Match Inc president Jake Finlay believes the home contingent has the talent to change the result.
“This is the field we dreamed about when we first started talking about bringing an international Bronc Match home to Australia,” Finlay said.
He said every competitor had earned their place, making the contest particularly important for the Australians.
“We have four of the top five riders from the Australian season, national champions, international competitors, brilliant young riders and three seriously dangerous Americans coming to Warwick. There isn’t an easy section anywhere in this field. Every rider has earned his invitation, every horse has earned its place in the draw and every single trip out of those chutes is going to matter. Our Australian riders know the championship buckle, the major prize money and the saddle have gone back to America in both previous years. There is plenty of respect between these cowboys, but once the gate opens, Australia wants that buckle back.”
Local Impact
Queensland cowboys will play a significant role in Australia’s campaign, with competitors representing Cloncurry, Julia Creek, Goondiwindi, Injune and Millmerran.
Among them is Cade Ferguson of Cloncurry, who finished fourth in the Australian Professional Rodeo Association saddle bronc standings.
Ferguson also holds the current junior bull-riding world championship, adding another achievement to Queensland’s strong representation.
He joins other accomplished riders, including Mount Isa Indigenous Rodeo Champion Clayton Braden and six-time National Rodeo Association saddle bronc champion Jack Capewell.
Their participation gives regional Queensland competitors an opportunity to compete against leading Australian and international cowboys on home soil.
By The Numbers
- More than $50,000 in total prize money is available at the Warwick competition, including $20,000 for the winner.
- 89.5 points secured American Brody Wells the championship at Warwick in 2025, setting a strong benchmark for this year’s competitors.
- Eight seconds is the required duration of each bronc ride, with competitors aiming to earn the highest scores.
Zoom In
Bailey O’Dell enters the competition as Australia’s leading contender after finishing the regular season atop the national saddle bronc standings.
The Victorian also became the first rider to claim consecutive Xtreme Broncs Australia titles, strengthening his credentials for Warwick.
Alongside O’Dell, Australia’s invitation field includes Ben Rasmussen of Nevertire, Ken Coleman of Bells Bridge and former Australian champion Greg “Dyso” Hamilton. Several Australian competitors also bring recent American rodeo experience, including Jake Finlay, Tom Webster and Regan Lyons.
Lyons spent the 2026 season competing in the United States while riding for Western Texas College.
That experience adds depth to Australia’s field as riders prepare to compete in qualifying sections. The highest scorers will progress to a championship short round, where the title will be decided.
Zoom Out
While Australia’s cowboys are determined to secure victory, the American contingent brings strong international competition to Warwick.
Shorty Garrett comes from Eagle Butte in South Dakota, Gus Gaillard represents Morse, Texas, and Zac Dallas hails from Las Cruces, New Mexico.
The Cinch International Australian Bronc Match is presented by Gill Bros Rodeo and A Rorey Lemmel Bucker. Beyond the prize money, the championship offers a custom-made Australian fender saddle, handcrafted by Beaudesert saddlemaker Troy Welsh.
American professional rodeo announcer Garrett Yerigan has also travelled to Warwick to call the competition.
For Finlay, the event represents an opportunity to demonstrate the strength of Australia’s saddle bronc riders against international opposition.
“We’ve brought together the men capable of stopping them,” he said. “The world is coming to Warwick, and Australia is ready.”
What To Look For Next?
Australia’s cowboys will take on their American rivals at Warwick Showgrounds, Kingsford Street, Warwick, on Saturday, 24 October.
Competition is scheduled for approximately 6pm, although organisers have yet to confirm the final starting time.
One Australian reserve rider is also expected to be confirmed before the competition.
With a strong home field assembled, Warwick could see an Australian cowboy claim the international championship for the first time. Tickets are available through the official event booking page.
