From regional WA to the USA: Young rodeo hopefuls join mentoring program
WA's brightest cowboys and cowgirls are being flown across the world to learn from champions of the sport.
12 hours agoSun 11 Jan 2026 at 12:05am
Thousands of spectators witnessed rodeos held in WA regional towns this year. (ABC Midwest and Wheatbelt: Eliza Bidstrup.)
In short:
Junior cowboys and cowgirls from WA are being selected to head to America for advanced training and competition opportunities each year.
Karratha's 14-year-old Aja Tito says the trip opened her eyes to the sport's potential.
What's next?
Six junior WA riders have been selected for a 2026 international trip.
Western Australia's brightest young cowboys and cowgirls are being flown across the world to learn from champions of the sport, part of an industry youth program developed by a Wheatbelt couple.
For years, WA rodeo royalty Mark and Jo Kestel have informally sent dozens of junior riders to America for advanced training competition opportunities, often at their own expense.
Mr Kestel, who grew up in the Midwest town of Carnamah 280 kilometres from Perth, said he got into the sport later in life and wanted to create more opportunities for young riders to develop their skills.
Jo and Mark Kestel host 12 rodeos across regional WA each year. (ABC Midwest and Wheatbelt: Eliza Bidstrup.)
"I've been rodeoing most of my life but I didn't get onto my first bull until I was 28 so I was a bit of a late starter," Mr Kestel said.
"You can't deny that there's something addictive about the adrenaline and endorphin rush you get riding rodeo."
Wanting to share that rush with the next generation, the Kestels launched the Double Barrel Entertainment Youth Rodeo Development program in August.
A group of six WA riders have been selected to travel to the United States in 2026 to train with US-based world champions and compete in international rodeos, sponsored and supported by the Kestels.
Mr Kestel said training for young people has changed dramatically over the years.
Mark Kestel has been bringing rodeos to regional towns around WA for decades. (ABC Midwest and Wheatbelt: Eliza Bidstrup.)
"Back in the day they used to have cowboy camps where they would live there and train twice a week but those days are gone now," he said.