Hold on to your hats and dust off those boots, because the Mount Isa Rodeo Festival is back! Running from August 3 to 11, 2024, this year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever. Tickets are officially on sale, and you won’t want to miss the excitement of the Mount Isa Mines Indigenous Rodeo Championships and the legendary Mount Isa Mines Rodeo.
In just its third year, the Mount Isa Mines Indigenous Rodeo Championships has already earned a Gold at the Queensland Tourism Awards and is set to welcome a record crowd and number of riders. With Australian music legends Kasey Chambers and Christine Anu headlining the Rodeo Rock concert, this year’s festival is guaranteed to be a hit.
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Last year’s championships were unforgettable, with Northern Territory cowboy Jason Craigie taking home both the Bareback Ride and Saddle Bronc Ride titles.
Doomadgee cowboy Peter Jupiter wowed the crowd with a spectacular ride. This year, the event, funded by the Queensland Government, has received 119 nominations from Indigenous riders, showcasing the incredible skills of Australia’s Indigenous stockmen and women.
Among the champions crowned last year was Darcy McBean from Katherine, who became the Indigenous Bull Ride champion, and Mackay cowgirl Maisey Hetherington, who won the Breakaway Roping buckle.
The Mini Bulls competition saw a three-way tie, highlighting the young talent in the rodeo world. Other notable winners included Matty Ahern in the Junior Steer Ride and Emily Ward in the Ladies Barrel Race.
Natalie Flecker, CEO of Isa Rodeo Limited, expressed her excitement for this year’s event:
“Mount Isa Mines Rodeo is the Southern Hemisphere’s largest rodeo and the third largest rodeo in the world, and this year champions will return to battle for the famous buckles, newcomers will become legends, juniors will rise up, eight seconds will seem like a lifetime and the heritage and importance of rodeo in the Outback will be celebrated. But there’s more: riders are coming from across the world to literally throw their hats in the ring!”
Celebrating 65 years, the Mount Isa Mines Rodeo will feature the inaugural Trans-Tasman challenge, honoring the Ah One and Church families, two legendary Indigenous rodeo families from Australia and New Zealand.
This thrilling competition will pay tribute to George Ah One, renowned for his horsemanship and the legendary Carandotta horses, and the Church family, New Zealand’s reigning national champions.
Adding to the excitement, ten American Junior Bull Riders from Texas will compete in a Junior Bull Riding Championship, taking on their Australian counterparts in a Trans-Atlantic showdown.
Last year, the event set records with the highest number of entries in its 64-year history, including a significant increase in junior and female participants. This year’s program will feature rodeo stars vying for some of the world’s most famous buckles, and country rock stars heating up the stage.
The Rodeo Rock concert lineup includes Brad Cox, whose album “Acres” is topping the charts, and the Hindley Street Country Club, known as “the world’s best cover band.” Saturday night will feature James Johnston with his historic debut album “Raised Like That,” and the charming duo Zac & George.
Foodies can look forward to The Shank Brothers hosting Australia’s largest, richest, and hottest Hot Wing Challenge, and the new Rib Wrecker Challenge. Sunday will be a Family Day with free activities, entertainment, and the Junior and Timed finals.
The Mount Isa Mines Indigenous Rodeo Championships is proudly supported by the Queensland Government, and the Mount Isa Rodeo Festival is backed by Tourism and Events Queensland.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of the greatest show on dirt. Get your tickets now and get ready to rodeo!
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Get Ready for the Mount Isa Rodeo Festival
