A regular competitor at the Mansfield Campdraft, Tup Forge, from Oxley, North East Victoria is a familiar name and will be more widely known after taking out the world women’s saddle bronc title at one of the biggest rodeo events in America.
She is the first international competitor to claim the championship after being announced the 2025 Women’s Ranch Bronc Championship (WRBC) world finals champion at Cheyenne Frontier Days, Wyoming, last Sunday 20 July.
“This is amazing,” said Tup, “an absolute dream come true”.
When asked what advice she had for little girls who wanted to be like her, “Keep trying and keep going,” Tup said.
The weekend of 19 and 20 July saw Tup complete two rides on different bucking horses and the only female finalist to achieve two clear qualifying rounds of eight seconds which put her way out in front with a final score of 146 – ahead of American Allysa Spierings, a three-time world (WRBC) champion.
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Day one she rode Excalibur picking up 72 points and for her final ride to victory it was on Red Flag Collector for 74 points.
As if winning the coveted gold buckle was not enough excitement for this gritty 28-year-old country woman, the following day Tup entered the Wild Horse Race and came away with a third place.
Her biggest fans, parents Graham and Anne Maree Forge, were glued to the “Cowboy Channel” to watch their daughter’s epic rides from their farm at Oxley which they run with Tup.
The Forges said they were incredibly proud of Tup and described her achievement as “unbelievable.”
The family managed to have a five-minute phone call with Tup after her big win.
Referring to Tup’s well-honed work ethic her mother said, “She has done the hard yards to get there.”
Her father was not surprised to hear that Tup was competing in the Wild Horse Race the following day after a participant had to drop out.
“In the Wild Horse Race, you have to catch a horse and ride it with no bridle or stirrups,” said Graham.
An old hand at breaking in horses on the family property, Tup was able to draw on her experiences from home.
“Tup is now an Olympian in the rodeo world,” said Anne Maree.
Getting to the championships involved a lot of support especially financial for Tup to follow her dream.
The Team Australia members, Tup Forge, Hayley Rose, Amelia Baker and Emily Howkins had to raise money for their trip.
“The generosity was overwhelming – and we were able to get the funds for Tup to do Australia proud,” said Anne Maree.
Forge’s Farm runs heritage cattle droving trips in the Mt Buffalo foothills of which two recent ones were fundraisers for Tup.
A close friend of Tup for 13 years is former tourism manager for the City of Wangaratta, Emma Crameri who now works and lives on an outback property with her young family.
“It was a highlight each time she would drop by our station on her trek north to try her hand at this new found sport - bronc riding,” said Emma.
“I’ve never doubted Tup and never thought for a second she wouldn’t ride till the last and bring home the title.
“She’s too unassuming and modest, she’s driven by passion not ego and has always been that way,” said Emma.
“She’s loyal, passionate, caring, has phenomenal stock skills and fiercely chases her dreams.
Tup’s character is such that she is much loved and respected in her community said Emma.
Judging by the many comments on social media this week there is no doubting how Tup is regarded by her peers and friends.
“If there were more like her, the world would be a better place,” Emma concluded.
Tup is due to fly home on 2 August in time to attend a Southern Campdrafting Association (SCA) function in the North East to support her other passion.
No doubt there will be plenty of celebrations for this local but humble hero when she arrives home.
Speaking to Tup’s parents later in the week they said the media interest had exploded with Australian city television and press coverage.
Her down-to-earth father says they expect Tup to be back on deck when she gets home because she is the camp cook for their upcoming droving trips.
