If you are travelling through the outback this year and would like to see Australia’s unique sport – bronco branding – then visit the Bronco Branding Australia website for some dates of upcoming bronco branding competitions.
At present there is a Queensland and South Australian Bronco Branding Association. Most bronco branding competitions are held in western Queensland and northern South Australia. Events have been held in these Queensland towns: Camooweal, Mt Isa, Winton, Longreach, Stonehenge, Jundah, Windorah, Middleton, Boulia, Birdsville; and these South Australian towns: Oodnadatta, Maree, Carrieton, Marla and William Creek. Fewer towns than Queensland, but bronco branding competitions in SA are fixtures (solidly run), despite the inroads made by animal liberation extremists intent on banning all sports involving livestock. Broncoing competitions have also been held in the Northern Territory at Alice Springs and the Brunette Races (ABC Race Club) on the Barkly Tableland.
In the midst of severe drought conditions broncoing competitions are usually cancelled because of the scarcity of cattle in suitable condition, so if the season is a bit dodgy and you are making a special trip, it would pay to double check it is on by ringing the organisers or checking the website.
Bronco branding competitions are very entertaining to watch and spectators don’t need a rule book to appreciate the skill involved. You won’t find any show ponies at a bronco branding competition, and no-one who has paid someone to train their expensively-purchased horse for them. It’s authentic work by rural residents, and the characters are interesting. For more information see the Bronco branding page.
Tags: Bronco branding, Pastoral history