Bull rider Wylie Roots in junior exhibition at PBR State of Origin 1
This 12-year-old is already making a big impression internationally but he loves nothing more than saddling up for his home state. Meet the young cowboy with the world at his feet.
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He’s considered one of the best junior mini bull-riders in the world but for Wylie Roots, nothing compares to representing his home state in the arena.
The 12-year-old Duaringa cowboy will, for the third time, turn out for Queensland in the junior exhibition event in a precursor to this weekend’s PBR State of Origin opener in Newcastle.
The four leading juniors from the Sunshine State will take on their New South Wales peers as the next generation of stars take centre stage at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre on Saturday.
The young guns will whet the appetite of spectators eager to see if the Queensland open team, dominated by Central Queenslanders, can continue its winning streak in the three-series event.
Wylie is joined by Colosseum duo Clayton Walker, 10, and Rex Walker, 15, and Morayfield’s Jaxsen Tremayne, 17.
While the youngsters don’t compete for points, they show the same heart and grit as their senior counterparts.
Wylie will ride junior mini bulls, which weigh in at around 350 to 400kg, while the open competitors take on beasts as big as 800kg.
Wylie said the Origin event was an experience like no other.
“I’m pretty pumped, to be honest,” Wylie said.
“It means everything.
“It’s such a big deal for me to be able to be there with everyone I look up to and riding right beside them.”
Wylie refers to two of his bull-riding idols in Calliope’s Macaulie Leather and Ben Bode, who will be pivotal to Queensland’s bid for a sixth straight Origin title.
Their feats have provided plenty of motivation in his young career.
He is keen to follow in their footsteps and is already making huge strides.
Wylie has twice competed at the world bull riding finals in America and, in a stellar performance, finished second in 2023 in MBR and tour events.
But he has plenty of inspiration close to home as well.
His father Adrian was a seasoned bull rider before becoming a decorated protection athlete (bullfighter).
His older brother Dustin was the first junior mini bull rider from Australia to compete in the MBR world championships in Las Vegas in 2018.
He continued to enjoy plenty of success before, like his dad, he made the switch to bullfighting and is headed to America to follow that dream of making it on the circuit there.
Wylie was almost predestined to become a bull rider, with his parents also being stock contractors and breeding bucking bulls.
They provide bulls to rodeos everywhere from Mt Isa to Sydney, and some of their mini and junior bulls will make the journey to Newcastle for this weekend’s program.
Wylie started riding poddies at age four and believes having unrestricted access to his four-legged foe certainly helped his progress.
“Having all the mini bulls here to get on helps a lot, and so does having mum and dad there to support me and keep me going,” he said.
Adrian said Wylie stepped through the development stages pretty quickly.
“He’s got the right attitude and he’s pretty tough,” he said.
“There’s probably kids out there with more natural talent but Wylie works really hard and you get out what you put in.”
Adrian and wife Amy will make the trip to Newcastle to watch Wylie in action.
“These Origin events are so much fun,” he said.
“At the Brisbane event, Wylie was the first to ride and the crowd just stood and roared.
“It was amazing and they love seeing the kids.
“We’ve been to world finals in Vegas and Texas and all sorts of events but the atmosphere at the PBR State of Origins is incredible. It’s right up there.”
Queensland teams
Junior
Clayton Walker, 10 (Colosseum): Young but fearless, he has serious cowpoke courage.
Wylie Roots, 12 (Duaringa): A three-time PBR State of Origin Junior qualifier, he’s already been to Texas, USA, to ride and is building a legacy with every bull he faces.
Rex Walker, 15 (Colosseum): The 2024 senior mini bulls grand final winner, he has been dominating the circuit and brings power and polish.
Jaxsen Tremayne, 17 (Morayfield): 2024 Rising Star known for his determination, he’s carving his own path to the top.
Senior
Kurt Shephard: Mareeba’s finest, and current PBR Australia leaderboard leader.
Macaulie Leather: Calliope’s cowboy dynamo.
Ben Bode: Leather’s Calliope counterpart, all grit and grind.
Thomas Triplett: Bungandarra’s bull-taming machine.
Bryn Francis: From Moura, riding with fire in his veins.
Caiden Sandilands: Rockhampton’s own rising star.
Zane Hall: Athol’s adrenaline-chaser.
Jack Keats: Cloncurry’s cool and calculated charger.
Rylee Ward: The Kiwi connection, adding international edge to Queensland’s dominance.
Nash Mellors: The Gracemere young gun with ice in his veins.
Reserves: Bowen’s Beau Willis and Bloomsbury’s Brumby Brandenberg.
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