Chinchilla man Jack Holt remembered as record number of entrants compete at Chinchilla Rodeo

Last weekend’s Chinchilla Rodeo set the record for entry numbers in a National Rodeo Association event as hundreds turned out to pay tribute to a beloved businessman who tragically died in a horror Warrego Highway crash earlier this year.

Chinchilla Rodeo vice president Kristen Chong Jack Holt Memorial Open Bull Riding champion Jack McArthur from Cooyar and Chinchilla Rodeo president Darryl Chong.

Last weekend’s Chinchilla Rodeo celebrated a record number of entries with more than 350 cowboys and cowgirls competing on the day.

Held during the Chinchilla Show the popular event drew crowds into the thousands with people travelling from interstate to attend.

Jack MacArthur took out the major win in the Jack Holt Memorial Bull Ride, taking home close to $4000, while David Mawhinney won the Steer Wrestling, Kielan Cox secured the victory in the Broncho Ride and Jordy Moore and Marcus Jones won the Team Roping.

Chinchilla Rodeo Committee president Darryl Chong hailed the event a success.

“It was unreal, we had record entries for the National Rodeo Association which is the association for South East Queensland, we had 361 competitors for the day and a record number of 115 bull riders,” he said.

“I think it was a success because my wife promoted the hell out of it, we promoted it well, also one of our mates Jack Holt was killed in a car accident just over a month ago and we held a memorial bull ride for him.

“I’ve been rodeoing for 20 years so I rang everyone I could and they came out of the woodwork in support.”

Chinchilla business owner Jack Holt, 25, died from critical injuries suffered in multi-vehicle crash on the Warrego Highway at Drillham on April 18, 2024.

Mr Chong said guests numbers were also high.

“We don't have the exact numbers yet but it would’ve had to have been at least 2500 people,” he said.

“It's a good family event, it's an action packed event, we have all the events for the rodeo covered from horses all the way through to rough stock.

“Our program was full, we started at 10am and we pumped it all day, it ran smoothly, we finished at 9pm and the bowl was still full when I left at 11pm to go home.

“For South East Queensland and for the bull riding entries this would probably be in the top three in Australia and definitely top three in Queensland.”

Mr Chong said he was new to the role of president and would look to continue the success of rodeos in the region.

“My wife and I took over the role at the start of the year and did the February one and this was the second event we’ve run and they’ve been the most successful ones in the last ten years,” he said.

“We are keen to stay on and see what else we can achieve next year, we want to make it bigger and better.

“We’ve got Melonfest next year, I'd like to put a live band there, more seating, make it bigger and better and get the prize money up to get the best of the best in the country to come to Chinchilla and compete.”

Originally published as Chinchilla man Jack Holt remembered as record number of entrants compete at Chinchilla Rodeo