Luke and Connie Wharton are passionate rodeo fans on different sides of the fence.
Luke is a second-generation Team Roper from Richmond North-West Queensland and has grown up in and around rodeo. He likes the head side of the team, but he’ll have a red hot go at getting a set of heels too. Luke has travelled far and wide donating his entry fees, and for a short number of years life got in the way of throwing a good loop.
However, after wife, check, kids, check, starting and growing businesses, the sport has turned him back and it’s a package deal! With our boys Jack, heeling and Mitchell, heading, we have a couple of very enthusiastic rodeo goers and it’s the perfect little set up… Until the last steer on the last day at an ATRA event in Cloncurry in April 2025…
Things got a bit “western”, and Luke’s thumb got caught in the rope which quickly, and quite effectively, got amputated. After three weeks in hospital in Brisbane the thumb was reattached and Luke now just provides monetary support, apparel sponsorship, horse transport and strapping services for his boys while they try and take over the world. He’ll get back in the saddle soon, but for the moment the boys are having a ball catching a few more than dad these days.
Connie, on the other hand, along with our daughter Georgia, has cemented her role as the professional spectator and ‘dummy driver’ and when she can’t make the journey, keeps the home fires burning while the boys indulge in their passion.
With a mind for business, and with a thriving little hardware store in rural Queensland, Luke and Connie sought to import ropes with a view to help promote and encourage growth of the sport within their area. With an experienced group of passionate ropers already in Richmond, bringing new people into the rodeo arena is top priority for longevity. Pro Roper endeavours to provide easy access to top quality roping supplies at a great price, straight from the USA to you so you can keep turnin’ and burnin’!
