It’s about providing the finest entertainment for a paying crowd.

This is the sentiments of John “Happy” Gill who is an 80-year-old veteran of the sport.

On Tuesday when Mr Gill was interviewed by The Rural he was waiting for the temperature to drop before loading up the truck to head to the Australian Bushmen’s Campdraft and Rodeo Association finals in Tamworth.

This is just one of the major events on his calendar each year. However, one of his favourite events is the Wagga Pro Rodeo.

Mr Gill and his family have run the Wagga Pro Rodeo in succession for the past nine years.

And interestingly the event, among competitors and within farming circles, has been known as a drought breaker.

Mr Gill laughs and says the farmers should thank him for the amount of times he has “made it rain”.

“I am a drought breaker,” he laughs. 

Gates will open at the Equex Centre at 3pm for a 5pm performance at the Gil Mathew Pro Rodeo.

And if past events are to be a guide Mr Gill is expecting thousands of families and friends to gather on the hill and watch the action. 

It is these people who pay their money and support the sport that Mr Gill has in his mind when planning such events.

“It really is about putting on a show … people want plenty of action and lots of entertainment over a period of three hours or so,” he said.

“It is not like the old days where you pulled up your car near a footy field and sat in the boot with a picnic,” he said. 

In addition to having an affinity for the sport, it’s animals and the colour and entertainment Mr Gill is proud of the competitors too.

“There is no bigger name than Brad Pierce, and he is one of our local riders,” he said. Mr Pierce is known for success in multiple rodeo events.

“He is the Australian Champion (in saddle bronc riding) and the pro tour champion, and he is the only rider who has won both of these titles in the same year,” Mr Gill said.