Now 16, Jacki is among international bull riders competing at iconic rodeo in Queensland

SBS Australia

3 days ago

A rodeo ritual for team USA. (Team USA in a huddle): "So we never stop fighting. We never give up. And when we win, it won't be by luck. Amen." Eight-year-old Axton Hale is getting into the zone behind the chutes. He's praying in a circle with other riders before taking on a bucking bull in the red dirt arena. "Let's go now. Are you ready?" There's an organised chaos, with cowboys and cowgirls getting ready before they compete. The chaps are on and pep talks can be heard. "It's just a fun sport, you get on cool bulls and ride cool bulls. I have some emotions if I fall off I might get a tiny little emotional but I have God with me." Axton is among dozens of young international competitors at the Mount Isa rodeo, which has been around since 1959. But it's the first time the event has hosted a junior tri-national competition, with riders from the US, New Zealand and Australia going head-to-head. "Hi my name is Jacki Gayle and I'm a bull rider on team USA." The 16-year-old is the only female junior bull rider at this year's rodeo - hailing all the way from Texas. The African American teenager started riding when she was just 11 years old, but it took months to convince her mother that the sport was safe. "She called me crazy at first and thought that I was going to get hurt; and I wouldn't like it. But I tried and it and here we are four years later. And I've got all my friends and my rodeo family telling me that I can do this. And I don't know, it's just fun." Jacki has earned recognition in various rodeo sanctions and currently holds the title of Southern New Mexico Rodeo Princess. She recently competed in the Bill Pickett Youth Rodeo - an event in Texas which aims to honour Black rodeo history. Jacki admits that growing up, she didn't see many cowboys and cowgirls that look like her - with representation now being an important part of her rodeo journey. "There isn't very many dark skinned or African American cowboys out there. So it's nice for me to be one of the few who are trying to get more awareness and get more people into the sport." And she's not the only one bringing a unique flare to the arena. The other nation competing against Australia and the USA - is New Zealand. (Sounds of Hakka dance and chant) It's the first day of the rodeo and the sun is about to rise; standing in the empty arena, performing the Haka is the New Zealand team. Leading the Haka is Ty Blake, the 16-year-old bull rider attended his first rodeo when he was just 6 weeks old. "Rodeo culture is just family, just one big family. Everyone's together, everyone helps each other out. Dad used to show jump way back in his glory days; and Mum's a horsemanship world champion. So I have good genes." He says the sport has taught him resilience - and fearlessness. "There's a song, called hooked on an 8 second ride and it's about the adrenaline that goes through. And it's something you can't get over. It's like an itch you just got to scratch it and ever since then, I've been scratching it." Kylee Ferguson is the director for the youth rodeo organisation; and he helped co-ordinate the international talent for 2025. "When we take teams to other countries, we really focus on that team building experience and making friends. To us the most important thing is getting the contacts on the other side of the world. You can see the friendships already formed and spending a lot of time together. I think, it's the best way to make friendships across the world." A growing sport - making way for a new generation of rodeo athletes... Including up and coming First Nations bull riders: like 10-year-old Carl Douglas Jnr, who made the journey to Mount Isa from Cape York. "It feels good, sitting on it and riding on it make your family proud. My family was doing bull riding - my cousin, brothers." These young riders, hoping to win some buckles - and lend a hand along the way. Axton again.
"I just help little kids when the need it. They need help, I'm right there. I'll show them how to get on a bull, get off a bull and be safe. Cowboy up and ride."