Billy, 2, ready to ride on miniature ponies

LITTLE Billy Keogh has his eyes on the prize as he gears up for tomorrow night's rodeo at the Allora Show.

The two-year-old will don his father's old chaps when he make his debut riding one of his family's miniature ponies in a junior event at the rodeo, run by his father Scott Keogh.

Mr Keogh said Billy had a soft spot for a feisty miniature mule, nicknamed Wicked Thelena .

"My kids have grown up around rodeos," he said.

Mr Keogh said 2014 was the first year for a junior event with the miniature ponies, which he and his family saved from almost certain death.

"We rescued these ponies from a guy in Stanthorpe," he said.

"We brought them back here and trained them up to buck."

A huge crowd is expected to turn out for tomorrow night's event, which Mr Keogh said was sure to be to a crowd pleaser.

"It's all about encouraging more junior participants," he said.

"We're expecting 10 to a dozen kids to compete."

An open bull ride will also be held tomorrow night, with a line-up of some of the best riders in the country trying for their eight seconds of glory.

"It's a good family night's entertainment," Mr Keogh said.

Rodeos will also be held at the Clifton Show next Saturday night and the Goondiwindi Show in May, with Billy and the family's ponies set to entertain crowds at both.

Scott Keogh's Bull Ride will kick off at the Allora Showgrounds at 7.30pm tomorrow night.