THE Warwick and Australian rodeo scene will wave goodbye to one of its most famous and successful figures next week.

Steve Hilton, the present rodeo administrator of the Australian Professional Rodeo Association, who has worked for the association for more than 22 years will leave the position after

Friday week, May 16.

Mr Hilton said he felt it was time for a change.

"I was just getting a little tired of it," Mr Hilton said.

"It (22 years) is a long time in any position.

"I've stayed for as long as I felt things were moving in the right direction.

"However, it's time for a change."

Mr Hilton said rodeo would always be a part of him.

"I'll still be involved in

rodeo for the rest of my life in one way or another probably," he said.

"I've still got some things (to do with rodeo) in the pipeline."

Mr Hilton said rumours of a falling-out leading to his departure were false.

"I would absolutely deny that me leaving has anything to do with any falling-out," he said.

"You never get on with everybody in life, but there was no fallout which led to me leaving.

"I've had and still have very good support from the executives and there are no ill feelings from me either.

"I wish the association all the best in the future."

Mr Hilton said he was not sure what his next move would be.

"It will be a big change for me... but I will still be around Warwick," Mr Hilton said.

"I need to do something else; I haven't decided what I'll do next yet though."

Mr Hilton has been one of the major rodeo figures in the Rose City.

He won bull ride and bareback bronc ride titles in 1988 before bareback wins in 1993 and 1996.

He retired after his win in 1996 and moved on from his position of general manager to rodeo administrator after he finished riding.

Mr Hilton also oversaw the APRA's move from Palmerin St to its present headquarters in Alice St, where the Australian Rodeo Heritage Centre is.

Mr Hilton said winning his titles and meeting people were his two favourite things about his time with the association.

"I have friends all over the country and that was a big part of why I took the job in the first place," Mr Hilton said.