Darryl Joekong: Warwick rodeo king inducted into Australian Hall of Fame

The iconic face of riding known as ‘Australia’s master of the international saddle’ made history almost 50 years ago and will soon do so again as part of an elite group receiving this special nod.

A Warwick rider who made rodeo history almost five decades ago will soon have his name cemented alongside some of the nation’s most prolific competitors in the Australian Heritage Rodeo Centre’s Hall of Fame.

Former pro competitor Darryl Joekong was the first Australian to qualify for the saddlebronc riding national finals of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association of America circuit National Rodeo in 1972.

Darryl Joekong with his wife June. Photo: Gerard Walsh / Warwick Daily News

It’s a feat that won Joekong widespread respect and admiration, both within the sport and wider community.

“It was a great achievement for me,” he said.

“I went to the finals again in 1973 and finished up in third place.”

Joekong rode horses and ponies with his grandfather in Brisbane throughout his childhood, sparking his later interest and passion for bucking.

“It’s the great thrill of it, the adrenaline rush of bucking horses,” he said.

Joekong went on to compete in and win rodeos around the world including in Australia, New Zealand and North America in the events of bareback riding, saddle riding and bull riding.

His success led to him being known as Australia’s master of the international saddle.

After travelling for competitions for years he later returned to Queensland and moved to Thanes Creek, west of Warwick, where he still lives with his wife June.

The couple have five children Dustin, Darryl Junior, Chaylee, Odette and Tamasin.

Joekong’s children were inspired by their dad’s success and followed in his footsteps, with Darryl Junior, Chaylee, Odette and Tamasin competing in local rodeo competitions in their youth.

Chaylee and Tamasin still compete in rodeo barrel racing, with Chaylee to compete at the Warwick Rodeo later this month.

Despite the thrill of the ride, Joekong said the dangerous and unpredictable nature of the sport meant there were some undeniable lows.

One of Joekong’s most difficult moments was when his good friend Bill Stevenson was killed in a competition.

“I can still remember he got bucked over his head and broke his neck,” he said.

Darryl Joekong at the first round of the Miss Rodeo Australia Queen judging. Photo: Deanna Millard / Warwick Daily News

Joekong said he became more cautious after the tragic incident, but still knew anything could happen at anytime.

“It makes you a bit harder and tougher towards the event, but you can’t really change anything,” he said.

Joekong retired from rodeo over 30 years ago but still dedicates his time to helping out at the Australian Heritage Rodeo Centre in Warwick, breeding horses for bucking and teaching students.

Joekong will attend this year’s Warwick Rodeo and on October 27, he as well as Dave Appleton, Jim Dix and Doug Flanigan will be inducted into the AHRC Hall of Fame.

“It’s a great honour to be remembered by the rodeo business, it’s a long time ago, it’s 50 odd years ago when I started, so to be still involved in it, it’s great for me that people have remembered,” Joekong said.