CRCA

THE HISTORY OF THE CENTRAL RODEO COWBOYS’ ASSOCIATION INC.

Compiled by Stella Baulch in July 1992

(reproduced in 2024 with permission)

The idea of forming a new rodeo association came from a relaxed conversation between a few cowboys, Darryl Baulch of Blackwater, Ross Meek of Emerald, Alan Albert of Capella (all seasoned cowboys) and rookie Rodney Ryan of Bluff.

They were anxious to do more rodeos in their area and spoke now and again on the idea of forming a new rodeo association. This association would have to be able to cater for the special needs of the smaller country town committees in the inland area whose needs over time may have been neglected by other associations.

These cowboys felt there were many other people who were also keen to participate in rodeos but due to work commitments could not travel long distances from their area to compete. Rodeo alone, even professional rodeo in Australia rarely pays enough to maintain a decent standard of living at this time.

The idea was to firstly gauge the interest in forming a new rodeo association in this area. This new association would not only help small and larger committees to once again hold profitable and professionally run rodeo, but also give contestants the opportunity to keep their jobs and still enjoy the sport they love – RODEO.

Their aim was to draw a happy medium between professional and basic rodeos, where committees would be assisted and supported with their rodeos.

The enthusiasm for this new association proposed by those few people grew so quickly that it had to be a success.

The first official CRCA meeting was held in Emerald on the 10th February 1990. Darryl Baulch was elected Prersident, Ross Meek was elected Vice-President and Mrs. Margaret Minns was elected Secretary/Treasurer. To progress as quickly as possible the event directors were also elected. They were; Bull Riding – Bill Kempson of Comet, Saddle Bronc – undecided, Bareback – Brandt Minns of Capella, Rope & Tie – Rodney Ryan of Bluff, Team Roping – Alan Albert of Capella, Steer Wrestling – Colin Bell of Gracemere, Ladies Events – Stella Baulch of Blackwater.

Three names for this association were discussed:

         “Capricorn Rodeo Cowboys Association”,

         “Combined Rodeo Cowboys Association”,

         “Central Rodeo Cowboys Association”.

“Central” was decided on as the object of forming rodeos central to all interested competitors, in the Central Highlands area. Of course we have since seen such incredible increases in membership from all over Queensland that many competitors are travelling long distances to attend CRCA rodeos. We also have committees affiliated from as far away as Harvey Bay in the south to Aramac in the west and to Gargett in the north.

Letters were immediately sent by our new secretary to prospective committee advising them of this new association and our aims. 

Our first rodeo was proposed for Quarter Park via Rockhampton on the 17th of March 1990. It was produced by the CRCA and was our first fund raising event. This was very successful with many people volunteering their time and products. A percentage of our profits were donated to the Cancer Fund. The idea of involving charity groups in CRCA charity fund raising projects was to help publicise the CRCA name and rodeo to the public in a positive and rewarding way for all.

The second meeting was held on the 17th February and attracted thirty people including committee representatives from as far away as Biloela. Rules were discussed and it was originally decided that The APRA and WPRA rules would be used as a guideline with some changes made.

One major change was that CRCA would include seven main events. These are Team Roping, Rope & Tie, Steer Wrestling, Saddle Bronc, Bareback, Bull Ride and Ladies Barrel Race. This was moved by Trevor Horrocks and seconded by Roy Izzard. This was just one of the many progressive steps which CRCA believed rodeo should take in this world of equal opportunity for all. This decision has never been regretted.

Our third meeting was held on the 4th April. Here, we obtained the services of Mrs Lee Kempson, a renowned artist in the central highlands. Mrs Kempson designed the CRCA logo used on our flag. Our flag is hand painted by Mrs Kempson and used on shirts, caps etc. and advertising the CRCA. Robert Berry was elected treasurer with Margaret Minns holding the secretary position. A very positive step to promote rodeo and ensure a continuing high standard of competition from the new members through to the older members was discussed.  

OUR FIRST RODEO SCHOOL

This major event was held on the 26th and 27th May. Professionally organised by the new bareback director Brendan Clarke. It was a great success, not only for raising funds for the CRCA, but also in encouraging and educating future champions of the CRCA. This school has become a yearly event on our calendar.

At the fourth meeting on the 14th May the association had a bank balance of $2635.59, not a bad effort after three and a half months of office and no major fund-raising events.

Throughout the following meetings many rule changes were discussed and at the same time our first finals were being planned. These were organised by Brendan and Debbie Clarke along with the Magpies Sporting Complex. The finals were staged at that venue in Mackay on the 16, 17, & 18th November. What a grand and professional show it was.

Our finals programme each year has begun with a mini rodeo for children from the Mackay Special School. CRCA members used their horses to lead the children around the barrel race course and helped them rope bales of hay. Some of these children showed much talent and interest. They also learnt more about the events held in our main rodeo programme. The response from this was a rodeo enjoyed by all of those who were involved.

Our main rodeo programme included the seven main events and also two optional events, the Ladies Breakaway Roping and the Ladies Steer Undecorating. At this stage the Junior Barrel Race had not been held on committees’ programmes. The inclusion of the Junior Barrel Race was discussed at the 1991 AGM held in Rockhampton in February. A motion was moved by Stella Baulch and seconded by Tammy Iker that if a committee holding a rodeo agreed then a Junior Barrel Race would be run. It is now run at almost every rodeo.

The first Novice Incentive Award was also introduced. It was moved by Stella Baulch and seconded by Janet Curran that a novice bonus would exist in the Ladies Barrel Race. This has been a good incentive for ladies with green horses.

At the end of 1990, our first Life Membership was awarded to Mrs Lee Kempson.

In 1990, ten committees affiliated with CRCA. In 1991, twelve committees affiliated, again finishing with a successful year at our finals. Once again held at Magpies Complex in Mackay in November and well organised by Marian Berry, who was treasurer then, along with the Magpies personnel.

Each year at the final’s presentation, the open winners and rookies of the main events have received a Bob Berg Championship Trophy Buckle. Our average winners at the finals have also been recognised for their achievements with trophy saddle equipment the first year and association jackets in 1991. The top ten contestants in each event qualify for our finals. 1990 was not too difficult but with the increased membership and the standard of competitors improving it gets harder and harder to be in the top ten.

Prizemoney increased substantially at the finals from 1990 to 1991. Our high standard of conduct and competition at the first two finals was rewarded by a very positive response from our valuable sponsors and spectators alike. We aim for this to be a continuing trend into the future.

CRCA membership has almost tripled since the recent beginning. The standard of competitors, many of whom were new to rodeo, has reached a new high with many competing successfully in other associations amongst open competitors. The standard of our contracted stock is as good as it gets in Australia. “Conman” a famous rodeo horse throughout Australia is owned by Les Flohr of Clermont and performs at most CRCA rodeos. Conman was voted bucking horse of North Queensland from 1988-1990, best bucking horse in Australia in 1990, best saddle horse and bareback horse in CRCA.

COMPETITION RECORDS TO DATE IN CRCA

BULL RIDING

Bill Kempson, 91 points on Gary Ashe’s bull “Wipe Out” at Biloela in May 1990.

BAREBACK RIDING

Brendan Clarke, 86 points on Les Flohr’s horse “Lady Di” in Emerald 1991

SADDLE BRONC RIDING

Rick Seeds, 83 points at Biloela in May 1990

ROPE & TIE

Mick Duffy, 8.8 seconds at Blackwater in May 1991

TEAM ROPING

Darryl Baulch (header) & Lance Hutton (heeler), 7.39 seconds at Biloela in May 1990

STEER WRESTLING

Peter Schulte, 3.43 seconds at CRCA Finals 1990

LADIES STEER UNDECORATING

Zoe Stolk, 1.46 seconds at Emerald 1991

LADIES BREAKAWAY ROPING

Stella Baulch, 2.98 seconds at Bendella in 1990 / at Nebo 1992

LADIES BARREL RACE

No record: no course officially to correct size

RODEO QUEEN (first competition)

Stella Baulch at Emerald 1991

The CRCA has a monthly newssheet keeping members and committees informed. This was originally put together by the secretary but with growing memberships and other business commitments this changed and Zoe Stolk, the Publicity Officer, has taken over this task

May 8th, 1992 is a date which will go down in history. Not only the CRCA, but two other progressive rodeo associations, the NRA and the ABCRA became members of a new rodeo council called the National Rodeo council of Australia Ltd. The NRC of Australia Ltd is the culmination of many months of discussion between the groups involved. These discussions have led to agreement as to how rodeo should be staged to member committees and involved associations and to ensure that rodeo achieves its full potential as a spectator sport evolving from our national heritage. Just a few of their aims are to:

• Supplement prizemoney,

• Promote and foster junior competitions and to encourage junior training seminars,

• Introduce and administer a master insurance provident fund policy to provide appropriate insurance cover for all competitors,

• To distribute profits of the council to member associations annually,

The council board of directors consist of most importantly the three businessmen whose idea it was originally was to form this council, George Brown (chairman), Ron Bryant and Carl Piggot, Keith Button – ABCRA, Bill Urquart  -NRA and Darryl Baulch CRCA.

It was an easy decision to join this council as its’ aims were the aims of the CRCA as well. We believed that for this association to be involved with other rodeo associations in unity promoting rodeo as a positive and progressive sport that large sponsorship, long overdue, will be most valuable.

Hopefully between us all businesses will be very happy and anxious to be part of the most exciting sport of al - RODEO