GROWING up around horses and cattle all her life has prepared Tup Forge from Oxley for the ride of her life next month when she competes in the women’s saddle bronc at one of the biggest rodeo events in the northern hemisphere.

A relative newcomer to the sport the 28-year-old North East woman, decided more than 18 months ago to have a go at a Ranch Bronc school she attended.

Now she is the Australian 2025 Women’s Ranch Bronc Championship (WRBC) winner with a chance to compete on the international stage at the USA Cheyenne Frontier Days, described as the world’s largest rodeo and everything western.

“Determined to try something new and unsure what to expect I was hooked quicker than ever,” said Tup.

“At that first school it was make or break.

“It wasn’t long before I found myself at my first rodeo and from there… the rest is history,” Tup said.

Her motto is “believe you can and you’re halfway there”.

“I guess you could say if you want something bad enough and work as hard as you can for it, anything is possible,” Tup added.

One gets a sense of Tup’s work ethic developed over many years on the family Hereford cattle property owned by parents Graham and Anne Maree Forge where she works fulltime.

The Forges have responsibility for up to 8000 acres which also covers a lot of bush.

Tup with her parents also runs Forge’s Farm which organises and operates one of Victoria's largest heritage cattle droving trips, mustering experiences, packhorse trips, trail rides and riding lessons giving visitors an opportunity to enjoy the high country.

Before she could walk her father Graham would hoist Tup up on his horse while out mustering.

Growing up in Oxley, she describes herself as a farm girl with a love of horses.

“I never did pony club, but we always had stock horses,” said Tup.

This led to her first campdraft at Mansfield riding Basi in the junior.

She described it as a humbling experience after not going too well but “stuck at it”.

The keen campdrafter has gone onto pick up first and minor placings across several drafts in recent years: a reflection of her dedication to keep improving.

A trip up north to outback Queensland earlier this year was a chance for Tup “to broaden my horizons with work” and experience a different agricultural environment.

She also discovered some “cool ponies” to ride, with some being sent down south.

Tup is passionate about campdrafting and will continue to be so.

However, the focus for now is preparing for her debut in the States next month as the Australian WRBC representative.

One would think staying on a bucking horse for eight seconds would be frightening but for Tup the thought of her first airline trip to America holds more fear.

She agreed that all equestrian sports carry some risk, but good preparation and safety measures are in place.

“I have had a few rough horses to break in so have already had that experience,” said Tup.

Her parents are very supportive of their daughter, but Tup’s biggest fan in the family is her 94-year-old Nan who lives on the farm with them.

“After a bronc ride, we do Facetime,” said Tup.

Tup will fly out a week before to settle in before her two rides in the women’s saddle bronc on July 20 and 21.

A combined score determines the winner.

In the meanwhile, Tup will aim to keep fit, practice on her bucking machine and work with her own horses.

There are also two Queensland rodeos at Normanton and Jundah where she can gain points for next year’s WRBC season.

Tup is thrilled to be travelling to Cheyenne Frontier Days, which runs over 10 days attracting up to half a million people.

In her event, Tup will be competing against the "best of the best” including competitors from the US, Australia, Canada and Europe.

The top three women from each country qualify for the world finals.

Asked about the recent media coverage, Tup believed the interest stemmed from competing in what is considered a male dominated sport.

Achieving the dream to compete overseas also requires a lot of fundraising and support to get there.

Tup is so appreciative of the generosity of people so far, but further donations would be most welcomed.

“Eight seconds can seem like a long time” once you leave the chute on a bucking bronc according to Tup but there is no doubt with her can do attitude, she will do Australia proud.

To help her journey to Cheyenne, Tup is open to fundraising opportunities and sponsorship from businesses, visit her Facebook page 'Tup Forge - Aussie Bronc Ride to USA' for more information or contact sabine@equinehsd.com.au