27/08/2026
๐๐๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ง ๐๐ก๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ - ๐๐จ๐๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฅ๐
Back in 2023, I had the absolute pleasure of becoming close with a beautiful family known as the Hales. I was on what was my very first Northern Run, and I was also a brand new mum. It was daunting at times, but I was so lucky to be welcomed and looked after by the rodeo community along the way.
That year, Knowlesy found himself needing a hazer and, while in the practice pen at Browns in Emerald, he struck up a great friendship with Warrick Hale. Warrick happily jumped on his right side for the remainder of the season and into the finals. But this little yarn isn't really about us. It's about their incredible young son, Toby.
At just 20 years old, Toby was absolutely flying. He was bull riding, team roping with his good mate Rope McPhee, and having success in rope and tie. He was cashing cheques at both ends of the arena most weekends, something pretty special and not something you see often. And he wasn't just having a good year. Toby went on to break the Australian season earnings record, making what he achieved in 2023 even more remarkable.
He accepted the prestigious Number 1 back number at the 2023 presentation and went on to have an absolute cracker of a finals.
๐จ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฉ๐๐๐ ๐น๐๐
๐๐๐ ๐ช๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
๐ต๐ญ๐น ๐ฉ๐๐๐ ๐น๐๐
๐ ๐จ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ช๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
๐ต๐ญ๐น ๐จ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐จ๐๐ ๐น๐๐๐๐
๐ช๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ช๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
๐จ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐จ๐๐ ๐น๐๐๐๐
๐ช๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ช๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
An incredible year for an incredibly talented young cowboy, and one his parents, Kathryn and Warrick, were and are so proud of.
Before heading off to the Back Number Presentation that year, I had the chance to photograph a few families, and I was more than happy to do this for the Hales. Looking back now, those photos mean even more knowing just how much was ahead for Toby.
Fast forward a few years and Toby is now living the dream in the United States. He recently married his beautiful American wife, Georgia, and is chasing that ultimate goal of a world title.
What a year 2023 was Tobes, we're still cheering you on loudly from downunder!
I guess you could call that Throwback Thursday, I will try to keep them coming.
๐ธ Kelly Martyn Photography
