Stockwomen make history in Normanton at Australia's first-ever female rodeo

Looking out from the stands of a small, red dirt arena, cowgirl Emily Collits cannot help but beam with pride at a sea of stock women saddling up to make history.

Over the weekend, she cheered on dozens of women who travelled from across the country to the tiny Queensland town of Normanton to compete in Australia's first female-only rodeo.

Ms Collits, an international bronc riding champion who recently made history in the US, drove 2,000 kilometres from Brisbane to judge the weekend's competition.

She says it is about time some of Australia's most passionate stock workers and riders were celebrated for their skill and given better opportunities to carve out careers in the male realm of rodeo.

"I probably wouldn't have driven 24 hours for a normal rodeo," Ms Collits says.

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Article written by: Emily Dobson