A celebration of rodeo skills and community spirit unfolded at the 98th Caboolture Show held at the Caboolture Showgrounds from Friday 6 to Sunday 8 June, alongside a reminder of just how tough and courageous young rodeo riders can be. Four teens were hospitalised in separate rodeo incidents. All are in stable condition, thanks to the swift response of onsite medical crews and event coordinators.
The annual three-day event welcomed rodeo action across all age groups—from Under‑8s through to U‑18s—backed by the National Rodeo Association on Saturday and Sunday. Highlights ranged from barrel racing and calf-tying to dummy roping and junior bull riding competitions.
Saturday thrills turned serious as a Triple B Rodeo showcase ran from 2 pm till 10.30 pm. While cowboys and cowgirls captivated the crowd with bull and bronc riding, injuries marred the evening.
At half past 2:00 p.m., a teen was thrown from a bull, suffering a head injury and neck pain. He was rushed to Caboolture Hospital in stable condition. Shortly after, onlookers saw another youth injured after a similar fall, resulting in a hand injury. He, too, arrived at the hospital in stable condition. In the evening, a third teen came off a bull, sustaining a minor head injury.
Sunday’s competition brought further drama when a fourth teenager was kicked by a bull and sustained back injuries. Queensland Ambulance attended the scene and he was taken in serious but stable condition to Queensland Children’s Hospital.
Despite the injuries, the rodeo events proceeded under careful supervision, with emergency medical teams stationed on site.
Thrills and Risks
These incidents are a reminder of both the thrill and risks of rodeo sports—especially for younger participants. The local response so far has been guardedly optimistic about the continued implementation of safety protocols at the beloved show, with spectators witnessing prompt action by the Show’s organisers. It’s expected that the Caboolture Show Society and the National Rodeo Association will review current guidelines to bolster protections for competitors.
Flashback: Rodeo Rider Injury at 2023 Show
In 2023, 15-year-old bull riding champion Jacob Kellett was thrown off and trampled in the chest and abdomen seconds into his ride, suffering serious injuries at the same show.
In the wake of what happened, his mother, Karen Kellett, praised first responders for their immediate assistance and emphasised the importance of stringent measures to protect riders. She also stressed that her son’s safety equipment undoubtedly helped mitigate the injuries he sustained, with his recovery underscoring the personal toll these events can take on participants.
Published 9-June-2025
Feature Image for Representation Only | Photo Credit: Unsplash
