Narrandera Pro Rodeo

01/05/2026

At just 14 years old, Dustin Dillon is making serious waves in the rodeo arena, and doing it with trademark mullet that has become just as recognisable as his riding.

A Year 8 student at Narrandera High School, Dustin might be from a small country town, but he is competing on a national level. He’s currently ranked #6 in Australia for Junior Steer Riding and an impressive #15 across All-Round Cowboy, a huge achievement

Since October 2025, Dustin and his mum, Mel Freund, have been clocking up the kilometres, travelling to over 20 rodeos across the NSW and Victorian circuits. A relentless schedule of long drives, late nights, and early starts; all amidst a national fuel crisis. Helping her son’s dream become reality, Mel’s support has been extraordinary and it has paid off.

Dustin has officially qualified for the Australian Professional Rodeo Association - APRA ‘National Finals’ and they’re set to hit the road again. This time they’re embarking on the 1,500km trek to Emerald, Queensland!

We are so proud of Dustin (and his iconic mullet), he has earned his place among the country’s best cowboys and we will be cheering from afar on 10th and 11th of July as the chute opens to one of the biggest events of his life.

Good luck, Dustin.

Alarna Vrieling
President, Narrandera Rodeo Committee

Dustin is proudly sponsored by:
Circle J Horsemanship
Fully Gripped
Buck & Boar Hunting and Dog Accessories
McDonald's Saddlery

Photos courtesy of:
KM Visuals - photo + film
Sally H Photos
Gavin Little Photographer. The Chute Shooter.
Van Der Stoep Photography

19/03/2026

https://arr.news/2026/03/12/town-thriving-after-rodeo-event/

This year's Narrandera Rodeo, one of the biggest events in town, if not the whole shire, has been hailed as a huge success, as a massive crowd enjoyed all the thrills and spills.

09/03/2026

President's Report.

The Narrandera rodeo is one of the biggest events we have in our town, if not the shire. While it is organised by the Narrandera Rodeo Committee, it’s a community run and funded event, and without the generosity of local businesses and local organisations working so cohesively, it wouldn’t be what it is.

The canteen, BBQ and bar was run by members of our committee as well as volunteers from the Narrandera Hospital Auxiliary, Can Assist, Narrandera Swimming Club, Narrandera Lizards Senior RLFC, Narrandera Imperial Football - Netball Senior and Junior Club. Gate entry was managed by volunteers from the Narrandera VRA Rescue Squad who put in a huge day starting at 7:00am.

A huge thank you to our sponsors (listed below) you, and our fund raising throughout the year, make our event possible.

The crowd was double what it was in 2024 and it was so nice to see community members of all ages there, it really is an event that brings people together, visitors to our town, and money to our town. Tourists posted TikTok videos of their trip to Narrandera for the rodeo and went bike riding, koala spotting, and to Lake Talbot Water Park while they were here.

AnnaGarry Mcphee never disappoint with the quality of the stock they provide, their horses and bulls are beautifully cared for and it shows in their condition and calm behaviour behind the shoots, they really are performers.

The quality of riders was outstanding, some of fastest barrel racing and roping times of the season and we had some of the best cowboys and cowgirls in the country choose to come to Narrandera, despite us clashing with Melbourne Rodeo. Some of our local riders had great success, Corey Heath (junior vice president) and Billy Guilford (committee member) took home a wad of cash in the team-roping. Junior steer rider, Dustin Dillon (Mel Freund) with his trademark mullet, hung on well to a cheeky young steer, Melanie Charlott Drysdale (events co-ordinator) in the calf-roping, snagged her calf in just seconds, flag bearer Wendy Batchelor and barrel racers Elke Richens, Jody Batchelor, Erika Quinn made some great times around the barrels and Brad Freund drew a cracker of a horse in the open saddle bronc.

We are asking for feedback from anyone who was there, so far it has been overwhelmingly positive with some great suggestions on what we can work on for next year. We also invite people to join our committee, you don't have to know anything about rodeos, just be enthusiastic and willing to share ideas. Please contact us via this page Narrandera Pro Rodeo (beware of all the fake ones) or email [email protected]

Alarna Vrieling
President, Narrandera Rodeo Committee

SPONSORS
Hutchins Bros Engineering
Community Bank Narrandera & District

Narrandera Bakery
Manildra Group
Narrandera Ex-Servicemen's Club Ltd

Hayllar Transport
Mawsons

Gallagher
&airconditioning
Leeton Toyota
GS & BD Electrics Pty Ltd
Nutrien Ag Solutions
Eurell's Narrandera
McGrath Leeton & Narrandera - Riverina Group
Narrandera Shire Council
Ainsworth’s Hairdressers
Zac Campbell Electrical
Fred Cole Betta Home Living Griffith, Leeton & Narrandera
Gunn's Mitre 10
Lanhams Motor Group Griffith & Leeton
&ellawrence
Moses and Son
Spirit FM 91.1
Narrandera Club Motor Inn
Narrandera Gourmet Meats
&floorcoverings
Narrandera Signs
Narrandera Windscreens

Safari Motors

Narrandera Tourism
Narrandera Golf Club & Function Centre

All photos courtesy of Sam from Van Der Stoep Photography

02/03/2026

RESULTS ARE IN! Congrats competitors, thanks so much for coming.

02/03/2026

🤎 FEEDBACK WANTED 🤎
Narrandera Rodeo Committee would love to hear from competitors, spectators and sponsors about our 2026 rodeo.

🤎 What did we do well?
🤎 What can we improve on?
🤎 What would you like to see in 2027?

We’re so grateful for our incredible sponsors, volunteers and community patronage.

Comment below or DM us.

01/03/2026

These guys! Thank you, thank you.

Narrandera Rodeo Day