General News
2 July, 2025
North West rodeo talent set to shine in America
Holly Bryant and Cade Ferguson will compete for Australia in Oklahoma.
Holly Bryant says she doesn’t know what to expect when she gets to Shawnee, Oklahoma.
“I’ve never left Queensand,” the 17-year-old barrel racer said a day before she was about to board the plane from Mount Isa.
Holly will represent Australia’s Youth Rodeo Organisation in the United States, alongside Cloncurry cowboy Cade Ferguson and a host of other young stars from around the nation.
“It’s definitely going to be a once-in-a-lifetime thing,” she said.
“I never would have expected to go and ride there until the offer came, so it’s pretty cool.
“I had the invitation last year around August and I was questioning whether I should go just because it’s a big commitment with rodeo events and school.
“I knew I shouldn’t miss out on the opportunity, so I decided pretty late in January that I was actually going to go.”
Holly, fresh off wins at Boulia, the Mount Isa Show rodeo, and at Yelvertoft, said she was disappointed that she couldn’t take her trusty mare “Cranky” to the US with her, but was excited about the prospect of riding a new horse.
“You basically organise a horse a few weeks before you go and try and pick one that’s suited to your riding style,” she said.
“That way you know you can work better with the limited time you have to get to know it.”
Having lived in Mount Isa for just about her entire life, Holly is a latecomer to rodeo and only just started riding in barrel racing a few years ago.
Her mum Fiona, who grew up with horses down south but didn’t compete in rodeos, said she tried to steer Holly away from the equines until the bug eventually got her.
“I guess I like the adrenaline you get from it,” the Spinifex State College student said.
“It is pretty cool working with something like a horse – it’s different because in other sports you just have to focus on yourself. In barrel racing, there’s another animal you have got to take care of.”
The teenager said a lot of her recent good form could be put down to Cranky – poorly named because she was nothing but a gentle soul for the duration of the interview.
“She was originally a campdraft horse,” Holly explained.
“I didn’t have a horse at the time and the people I bought her off were like, ‘she’s a campdraft horse, but she loves barrels’.
“She’s honestly been amazing.
“I’ve only had her for around a year, but she’s been winning everything.”
Holly said she was keen to get back from America and prepare for the Mount Isa Mines Rodeo in the second week of August.
“I think with the new committee, it’s going to be amazing,” she told North West Weekly.
“I compete in the Great Northern Rodeo Series and they set it up fantastically for the competitors and spectators, so I’m sure it’ll be really good.”
Unlike Holly, Cade Ferguson is almost a seasoned professional when it comes to travelling across the Pacific Ocean.
The 18-year-old all-round rodeo star has been to the United States “about 11 or 12 times” and says he can’t wait to get back to Shawnee and represent Australia’s Youth Rodeo Association team.
“If I do well it’ll definitely help me get into a better college and set up the start of my rodeo career,” he said from Sydney Airport, waiting for a flight to Dallas, Texas.
“Shawnee is one of the biggest youth events in the world for rodeo, so to do well there will mean a lot.”
Cade, who rides bulls and broncs said he wouldn’t want to be in Holly’s boots.
“The girls have got it a bit tougher, I reckon,” he said.
“Having to get on a horse you’ve never been on and trying to figure it out ... I personally hate getting on new horses.”
The Cloncurry product, who comes from a strong rodeo family, said he felt his future was in bronc riding.
“It’s a lot more fun. You don’t get hurt as much and it’s more about technique than anything,” Cade said.
“You can grit a bull out and get a score, but if you don’t ride your bronc perfect there’s no way you’re going to be able to place.”