Charters Towers diesel fitter Billie Dries sets her sights on Miss Rodeo Australia
A North Queensland diesel fitter is throwing her hat in the ring for Miss Rodeo Australia in her quest to promote ‘alternative cowgirls’. Her first challenge? Raising $3500 to qualify.
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A Charters Towers diesel fitter is throwing her hat in the ring for Miss Rodeo Queen Australia in her quest to promote ‘alternative cowgirls’, work ethic and grit.
While admitting she is more ‘agriculture’ than she is ‘rodeo’, 27-year-old Billie Dries said she’s always had a fascination with the niche phenomena of rodeo queens.
“I’ve followed the Miss Rodeo America pageant for years, and I follow all the girls on social media,” Miss Dries said.
“I got to actually meet Miss Rodeo America, Canada and Miss Rodeo Australia in 2018 and the professionalism of those girls was amazing. They didn’t just promote the rodeo way of life, but also the importance of agriculture.”
Miss Dries said agriculture was important to her as someone who grew up on a cattle property outside Gympie and who’s been heavily involved in the show horse and rein cow horse scenes.
“I’m personally not from a rodeo background, my sister does it every weekend and loves it, but I prefer the agriculture sector and showing horses,” she said.
“I enjoy the professionalism of showing and the beauty of those show horses and the communication between horse and rider. We ride our horses with next to no touch on the reins.”
“Rodeo Queen isn’t just the big hair, nails, smiles and bling. It’s the dedication, the grit, the work ethic, the horsemanship.”
That desire for show ring perfection should transfer well for Miss Dries as she prepares to plunge into what will be a pricey competition (girls are expected to fundraise a minimum of $3500 to enter).
Also backing her up is her experience modelling for small online boutiques, and her in-built audience through her “goth and emo” jewellery and clothing store Cosmic Vaquero.
“I really enjoyed the modelling I did, and people were always asking me where I got the things I was wearing so I thought bugger it and made my own store,” Miss Dries said.
“I would class myself as an alternative cowgirl… I like the colour black and spiders.”
Some of Miss Dries top sellers through the online store are grey and black shirts she “tries to keep as unisex as possible” and stickers of her artwork.
The National Rodeo Council of Australia (NRCA) has been running the not-for-profit Miss Rodeo Australia competition since 1992, and holds judging sessions throughout the year before deciding on a winner in September.
“Miss Rodeo Australia is fully run by volunteers, so the entrance fees are what pays for everything,” Miss Dries said.
“You need a minimum of $3500 to qualify and if you want to go with the NRCA to the WA rodeos you must raise $5000.”
Miss Dries said launching her own fundraising efforts has felt very strange, and she’s been nervous asking people for money during a cost of living crunch, but it was the 2025 Miss Rodeo Australia Paris Aldenton who reached out and encouraged her to open a GoFundMe.
“I was very surprised when Paris reached out to me,” Miss Dries said.
“She suggested a GoFundMe because it’s an easy and safe way for people to give money directly to you, because the money is protected. I’m also thinking of doing a few raffles.”
Today Miss Dries lives on a rural property outside Charters Towers with her partner, two dogs, her reining cow horse ‘Senorita’ and paddock horse ‘Blade’.
“We only moved here in October to be closer to work and my partner’s family. I was doing FIFO to Moranbah and it’s a much shorter trip now,” Miss Dries said.
“I was worried about asking for help since I only just moved here, but so far everyone in Charters Towers has been so welcoming.”
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Originally published as Charters Towers diesel fitter Billie Dries sets her sights on Miss Rodeo Australia
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