MOREE Show Society made the hard decision to cancel tonight’s rodeo due to insufficient entries, but will still have opening night jam-packed with entertainment and events, including live band SAX Appeal, V8 Trackskill Ute Show and judging of the Young Woman Initiative.

Society president Brendan Munn said Australian Bushmen’s Campdraft and Rodeo Association extended rodeo nominations to no avail.

“We are very disappointed,” Mr Munn said.

“At the start of the week we only had four entries  – two novice bull-ride entries and two saddle-bronc entries.

“We extended the cut-off with ABCRA and up until Tuesday afternoon, we only had seven entries,” he said.

The rodeo has been a fixture at the Moree Show for many years, and has seen some outstanding cowboys compete, including the likes of the late Pat O’Hara, whose name is remembered at show time on trophies donated by his wife, Anne.

Pat, a shearing contractor in the Moree district for nearly 50 years, passed away in 2007. He was 65.

He started work in the sheds with Billy Buckpitt, and later shore for Allan Rooke, Ron Hislop, Dick McMaster and John McAdam.

He made life-long friends with the men who sheared for him, including shed legends Aub Cain, Lofty Tighe, Paul and Alec Raveneau, and Lloyd, Bomber, Lance, Terry and Owen Duncan.

During the off-season, he worked at trainer Eric Jurd’s Moree stables and broke in horses for clients including Sir Brian Crowley and Ralph Hunt.

But it was being out in the rodeo arena on the back of a bucking bronco, that Pat loved most.

“Pat loved the rodeo life, catching up with mates, and talking about everything to do with bucking horses and rodeos,” Mrs O’Hara said.

Pat held his own against some of the best rough-riders in the district, including the Timmins brothers, Skuthorpe and Stanborough families, and top cowboys like Terry Marshall, Aub Tribe, and Lionel and Johnny Caban.

Johnny Caban was one of the best in the early 1970s. He was Australian Bushmen’s Campdraft and Rodeo Association’s all-round national champion cowboy in 1972 and 1973 and in 1972 collected trophies for bull-riding, calf-roping and saddle-bronc riding. In 1973, he picked up steer-riding and steer-wrestling trophies.

Pat O’Hara won ribbons at Mungindi and Goondiwindi in 1962 and 1963, and Casino, Texas, Mungindi and Inverell in 1964. He also competed successfully at the Merriwa Bushmen’s Carnival and the famed Upper Horton Rodeo.

His happy hunting ground was Gurley, where he took home ribbons for six consecutive years from 1964.

The Gurley Rodeo was first held in 1950, generally when the shearing season finished and before the wheat harvest began, and was revered on the circuit.

At Moree Show, the rodeo often drew the best riders on the roughest horses, and Pat was right there in the thick of it all.

“At one rodeo at Moree Show, Pat drew a horse called The Black Widow. It had never been ridden, and when Pat rode it, the power went out at the showground,” Anne said.

“Pat was still on the horse when the power came back on.”

Moree Show Society president, Brendan Munn, said the local rodeo has been a popular event for many years.

“I was the rodeo steward when I first joined the show society – nearly 20 years ago – and took over from John Appleby,” he said.

“Our local rodeo is steeped in history, and families like the O’Haras have always been great supporters.”

The society is also running a raffle, with more than $3000 worth of prizes, including $2500 worth of Milwaukee equipment from Agriware.

There is also $500 worth of merchandise from Lowes Petroleum, including a Kathmandu jacket worth $300 as well as fold-down eskies and extra-large pullover jumpers.

Proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to Are You Bogged Mate, a mental health organisation raising awareness starting conversations with the broader community about the rising issue of depression and suicide rates among men in rural areas.

The society is also running a raffle, with more than $3000 worth of prizes, including $2500 worth of Milwaukee equipment from Agriware.

There is also $500 worth of merchandise from Lowes Petroleum, including a Kathmandu jacket worth $300 as well as fold-down eskies and extra-large pullover jumpers.

Proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to Are You Bogged Mate, a mental health organisation raising awareness starting conversations with the broader community about the rising issue of depression and suicide rates among men in rural areas.

Mr Munn said the main arena will be jam-packed tonight.

“We have a band playing – SAX Appeal – and they’ll set up and play for an hour or two,” Mr Munn said.

“The V8 Trackskill Ute Show has four vehicles this year and will be a completely new act. We might even get some ute barrel-race warm-ups happening as well to make sure we keep everyone entertained,” he said.

Moree Show Young Woman Initiative entrants Millie Hobday and Laura Penfold will also be introduced.

“There will be plenty to do and see on Friday night,” Mr Munn said.

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.

Tickets: At the gate only. Cash and Eftpos. 4 years and under Free; 5-11 years $5 per day; 12 years and over $15 per day; and aged pensioners $10 per day. All entertainment included in gate entry.

Website: www.moreeshowsociety.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MoreeShowSocietyInc

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moreeshowsociety/?hl=en