Most people would probably take being thrown from a bucking horse in about a second as a sign to find another sport. For Amelia Baker, it was the beginning.
Amelia was raised on her family’s cattle property near Middlemount, growing up with cattle, horses and working dogs. Her family has been in the district for more than 100 years.
The 22-year-old Dysart local first climbed aboard for a station buckjump at an all-women’s rodeo in Normanton in September 2023.
“I only lasted about a second, but that was enough to light a fire in me.
“I’m the sort of person that if I decide I want to do something, I want to go all in and do it properly.”
A couple of months later Amelia competed in her first women’s ranch bronc event in Tambo, and from there she was hooked. In July this year, she travelled to Cheyenne, Wyoming, where she competed alongside some of the best women in the sport.
“Representing Australia at the World Finals in Cheyenne was incredibly special and something I’m very proud of.
“Coming from a small community in Central Queensland, it was pretty surreal to be standing in Cheyenne knowing I was representing not only my country, but also all the people back home who had supported me and helped me get there.
“There was definitely more pressure and atmosphere than I was used to in Australia, but once I was behind the chutes it still came down to the same thing: nodding my head, giving it everything I had and trying to make the best ride I could.”
In Go Round One, she put together a ride that felt right from the beginning.
“I remember getting off feeling happy with how it had gone. I didn’t actually realise I had won the round until I was running back through the arena towards the chutes and looked up at the scoreboard.
“Seeing my name at the top almost brought me to tears.”
Amelia backed that result up with third place in the second round, finishing third overall at the World Finals.
Getting there was almost as challenging as competing. Amelia funded her own travel, accommodation, transport and entry fees, while continuing to work.
“Fundraising and the support of my local community were so important. I’ve been very lucky to have a lot of support from people throughout the Dysart, Middlemount and wider rural and mining communities.”
She also credits coach and mentor Emily Howkins from Emerald, along with her family, for their support through all the highs and lows.
While Amelia plans to slow the travel down slightly, there is another international goal already taking shape.
“Longer term, I’d love to head over to Canada and follow the Bronc Star Tour series.
“Winning a round at the World Finals has definitely made me want to keep seeing how far I can take the sport, but I also want to make sure I’m enjoying the journey along the way.”
