When Matty Ahern won the open bull ride at the Nebo Rodeo, the crowd saw a talented young rider having a great night. At Durack Civil, we saw the start of something special.
Matty has now been named the 2026 Bull Rider of the Year by the Australian Professional Rodeo Association (APRA), and as his sponsor we couldn't be prouder.
Durack was principal sponsor of the 2026 Nebo Rodeo, we took on that role because events like Nebo are the heartbeat of regional Queensland. They bring families, stations and towns together, and they give young athletes a stage to prove themselves.
That night, Matty did exactly that. He won the open bull ride, and in the conversations that followed, our partnership began. We saw a rider with real talent, but also someone humble, hardworking and hungry to keep improving. Those are values we try to bring to every job we do.
Since Nebo, we've had the privilege of watching Matty's career grow up close. This season was his best yet.
The 2026 APRA season ran from 1 October 2025 to 30 September 2026. Matty competed all across the country at rodeos and finished on top of the national bull ride standings with $38,829.37 in prize money, more than $7,000 clear of runner-up Kelsey Pavlou.
The numbers only tell part of the story. In mid-May, Matty sat third. What followed was months of long drives between rodeos, early starts, sore bodies and eight-second rides with no room for error. By season's end, he had charged to the top.
"I said to mum and dad that I wanted to go win the Pro Title on the Australian tour and that's what we're out here to do," Matty said.
Our support for Matty is part of a bigger belief. Some of Australia's most talented athletes grow up in regional communities, but the road to the top is long and costly. Entry fees, fuel and travel add up fast for rodeo competitors, most of whom compete far from the major cities.
As a business proud of its place in rural and regional Australia, Durack wants to help close that gap. Sponsoring rodeos like Nebo and backing athletes like Matty is how we give back to the communities we work in.
Matty's next chapter is already taking shape. He is heading to the United States early 2027 to test himself against some of the best bull riders in the world. We're looking forward to following that journey and to backing him every step of the way.
To celebrate the season, we sat down with Matty to talk about his year, the journey since Nebo and what comes next. Watch the full interview below.
Congratulations, Matty. From everyone at Durack Civil, we're proud to be in your corner.