Rodeo's a family affair

This Saturday's Stanthorpe Rodeo will be a family affair for the Gallaways, with three kids taking to the arena.

Mum and dad, Kim and Brett, will be ringside as they watch Maggie, Billy and Emily take part in the huge annual rodeo day.

There's 16 individual events across the day, with $6000 in prize money up for grabs.

Brett is hoping one of the kids will win a share.

"Billy is 10 years old and is in the junior breakaway roping and the poddy riding,” he said.

"The two girls are both in the junior barrel race.

"Maggie is the current rodeo junior princess so she'll be helping out with the quest for next year's junior princess.”

Eight-year-old Emily is aiming to follow in her big sister's footsteps and intends to enter the junior princess quest.

"They compete most weekends so this isn't anything new to them.”

Brett is a veteran campdrafter but dabbled in rodeo himself in his younger days.

"I did it a bit as a kid,” he said. "The kids have been around horses all their lives and just liked it.”

Billy was a runner-up in the poddy riding title in 2018 and Brett is confident he can go one better.

"He was equal first in the under 12's junior breakaway last year too,” he said. "They practise their barrel racing a bit out here at the property (Applethorpe).

"It's a good environment for them.

"There's some really good people you meet and it's a sport that all the kids look out for each other and encourage each other.”

Stanthorpe is one of the biggest in best rodeos on the circuit.

Gates open at the showgrounds from 12noon with live music after the rodeo. Food, drinks and a mechanical bull will be available.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for adults concession, $5 for kids and $50 for a family.