About

History of Marrabel Rodeo

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Marrabel Rodeo is the oldest continuous rodeo in Australia. It is classed in the top five rodeos and features in the Longreach Stockman’s Hall of Fame.

The Marrabel Rodeo evolved from a picnic programme arranged to raise funds for new tennis courts in 1934, with the first Rodeo held in 1935.

It has always been a locally organised event, where local farming families initiated it, and those same families (some into their third or fourth generation) are still running it.

The rodeo continues to raise funds for the local community, with many sporting clubs, community groups and service clubs beneficiaries of the event.

The fame of Marrabel Rodeo rested upon Curio, a brumby bought in a mob in 1945. Unbeaten for eight years, she became the most famous buckjumper in Australia. She was first successfully ridden in 1953 by Alan Woods.

Curio bore 4 live foals – Son of Curio, Curio’s Special, Curiosity and Curio’s Farewell, which all became successful buckjumpers in their own right.

The Queen of buckjumpers was finally retired in 1964, an incredible nineteen years after her debut. She died, aged twenty eight, in 1970.

In 1991, Curio was recreated in cold cast bronze in a magnificent statue situated in the main street of Marrabel.