But forget the texas drawl and ten gallon hats because the Zilverberg family is the real deal when they gallop into the arena.

With American-born father Gary already a rodeo regular, mum April and the two kids have followed dad's lead.

"It's a real family sport and it's just great that the kids like it," April said.

"It means we can spend a lot of time together and they learn sportsmanship and have a heap of fun."

And the kids sure have the right pedigree.

50-year-old Gary has lassoed his way into the rodeo hall of fame in a career spanning four thrilling decades.

Among a swag of top titles, Gary was crowned all-round cowboy at the Calgary Stampede in 1979 and proved he could still mix it with the best by snatching the 2002 ABCRA All Round Cowboy title a week before his 50th birthday.

"There's no need to put us out to pasture," he joked.

"There's life in the ol' dog yet."

But before you could say 'ride 'em cowboy', Gary's 3-year-old son Zane and five-year-old daughter Tanegai decided to follow in dad's footsteps.

"Both Tanegai and Zane compete in junior barrel racing every weekend," April said.

"They just love it and I think the crowd think it's pretty cool that the whole family competes.

"The kids even get a standing ovation sometimes."

Not that April is any stranger to success in the saddle.

The accomplished horsewoman boasts three national roping titles and was named world calf roping rookie in 1996.

And the Marulan family is planning to pack up and move to rodeo heartland in the next couple of years.

"America is where it's really happening in rodeo," she said.

"The kids have had a good foundation in the sport over here and if they want to make it over there, they will."