2026 Cootamundra Rodeo draws more than 700 competitors

HUNDREDS of cowboys and cowgirls saddled up for a thrilling three-day spectacle in Cootamundra over the weekend, as the town’s historic rodeo grounds came alive with bucking broncs, barrel racing and plenty of dust-flying action.

The 2026 Albion Hotel and Akubra Cootamundra Rodeo attracted strong crowds and more than 700 competitors from across New South Wales and beyond, with the appropriately named Bob Holder Arena once again taking centre stage.

Held from Friday, November 6, to Sunday, November 8, the annual event featured 520 senior and 220 junior entries, showcasing some of the country’s finest rodeo talent alongside the next generation of rising stars.

The weekend kicked off on Friday evening with novice and junior competitions, including barrel racing, before Saturday’s main program delivered a full day of open rodeo events.

Competition began at 10am, building towards the highly anticipated main performance and grand entry at 3pm, with Sunday’s junior rodeo bringing the three-day program to a close.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke congratulated the organising committee, led by president Steve Oddy, on delivering another successful event.

“The rodeo committee continues to do a spectacular job in putting on a professional, high-quality event that not only attracts competitors and spectators, but also preserves the traditions of such a historic event,” Ms Cooke said.

“The strength of the entries this year shows just how much people value events like the Cootamundra Rodeo and the important role they play in keeping our country communities connected.”

Among the weekend’s highlights was the official opening, where two long-serving committee members and former presidents, Mick Axsentieff and Garry Luck, were awarded life membership in recognition of their outstanding contributions.

“Both men were the driving force in the return of the rodeo to Cootamundra in 2019 and have helped to build a strong foundation for the future of the committee and the club,” Ms Cooke said.

Another memorable moment came when local performer Laney Fitzgerald delivered a stirring rendition of the Australian National Anthem from the back of a ute.

“Laney did a beautiful job performing the National Anthem and the crowd absolutely loved it,” Ms Cooke said.

“It was one of those special moments that helped make the weekend so memorable.”

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke presented Mick Axsentieff and Garry Luck with Life Membership during the official opening of the 2026 Cootamundra Rodeo | Image: Supplied

A living legend at the heart of Coota’s rodeo history

Among those enjoying the weekend’s celebrations was 95-year-old rodeo legend Bob Holder, who returned to the arena that bears his name to witness another chapter in Cootamundra’s proud rodeo history.

“We are incredibly fortunate to have someone of Bob’s standing associated with the Cootamundra Rodeo, and it was wonderful to see his contribution recognised throughout the weekend,” Ms Cooke said.

Widely regarded as rodeo royalty, Holder has spent more than eight decades in the saddle, competing in thousands of events across Australia, the United States, Canada and Mexico.

His extraordinary career began at just 14, when he famously forged his mother’s permission to compete at the Tumut Rodeo, before becoming one of the first Australians to compete on the American professional rodeo circuit in 1959.

That year, he rode before Queen Elizabeth II at Canada’s Calgary Stampede and earned the nickname “The Cootamundra Cat” following a memorable performance at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

Macey Wilkinson, Bob Holder, Steph Cooke and Laney Fitzgerald at the 2026 Cootamundra Rodeo | Image: Supplied

Closer to home, Holder was instrumental in establishing Cootamundra’s original rodeo grounds with its iconic spectator hill in the early 1960s.

In 2023, aged 92, he was recognised by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest professional rodeo rider, with the Cootamundra Rodeo Grounds renamed in his honour that same year.

Inducted into the Australian Rodeo Hall of Fame, Holder continued competing into his 90s, winning the Over 90s Header Buckle at the Mount Isa Rodeo in 2024.

“My body no longer lets me ride bucking horses, but I still climb into the saddle every chance I get. As long as I can get on a horse, I’ll keep riding,” he told Take 5 magazine in June this year.

Winners emerge from fiercely contested events

The weekend produced a string of impressive performances across the open, novice and junior competitions.

Brendon Crawley claimed victory in the bareback competition with a score of 78 points, ahead of Hamish McLean on 74 and Jack Lees on 72.

In the ladies’ barrel race, Dusty McPhee, riding Sister, secured first place with a time of 17.537 seconds, narrowly edging out Gabriella Phillips aboard Wellsdale Acres of Smart, who finished in 17.618 seconds.

Jack Lindley topped the 14–18 years steer ride with 72 points, while Emma Thompson and Jagger took out the steer undecorating event in a rapid 1.94 seconds.

The junior divisions also delivered strong performances, with Aysha Mancell and Ladybug Snip winning the 8–11 years barrel race in 17.070 seconds.

Shelby Lang enjoyed a particularly successful weekend, winning the 11–14 years junior barrel race aboard Nelson in 16.803 seconds, before also claiming the novice barrel race riding Customised Morrison in 16.736 seconds.

Stevee Besant and Harry High Pants secured the 14–18 years juvenile barrel racing title with a time of 16.427 seconds.

A tradition going strong after 70 years

The Cootamundra Rodeo has a proud history stretching back seven decades.

Following a 20-year absence, the event made a celebrated comeback in 2019 and has since grown into an annual multi-day fixture, supported by local businesses, sponsors and a dedicated volunteer committee.

Organisers expressed their gratitude to everyone involved in staging this year’s event, including competitors, contractors, arena staff, stallholders, entertainers and spectators.

“Our rodeo is something we are incredibly proud of, and seeing it continue to grow and evolve each year is something special,” the committee said.

“An endless amount of time and hard work goes on behind the scenes throughout the year to put a weekend like this together, and we are so grateful for everyone who gives up their time, lends a hand and gets behind our event.”

The committee also acknowledged the continued support of naming sponsors the Albion Hotel Cootamundra and Akubra, alongside the many businesses and organisations whose contributions help keep the event running.

“From all of us on the committee, thank you for another fantastic weekend. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.”