THE 2012 Isa Rodeo upset some minorities, impressed most and catered for all, leaving Mount Isa with the title of Rodeo Capital once more.
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Concerns were raised about animal cruelty, as the issue is mostly every year, by minor sponsor Kmart which withdrew its support from the 2012 event.
The announcement followed a campaign in July from Animals Australia which allegedly lobbied a number of major event sponsors to withdraw their support.
The lobby didn't go too far though with swag city opening only weeks later letting in the first of the rodeo-goers.
The event really hotted up August 4 when the 2012 Xstrata Mount Isa Rotary Rodeo Queen and Charity Queen were announced.
Tash Jessen was crowned Rodeo Queen at the Bell and Moir Toyota Rodeo Ball after raising $27,114.75 for Bush Children Mount Isa.
Martha De Best took out the top fundraising honour however when she was crowned Charity Queen with a total of $28,038.95 going toward the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
The combined effort of all queen quest entrants, the two winners plus entrant Lucy Dungavell, saw $79,000 raised for three different charities. A few days later the Mount Isa Golf Club opened its doors for caravanners and campers after a last minute venue shake-up from Tony White Oval.
And then it was down to the action.
Victorian cowboy Brad Pierce mastered bull Prison Break to take the open bull ride title of the 54th annual rodeo.
After notching a score of 79 in round one, the Oxley rider was gifted a second chance thanks to a re-ride.
Pierce became one of just four riders to produce qualified rides with a score of 81, catching Central Queenslander Cody Teece (152).
Round one leader Jason Mara rode Arachnaphobia to an 87.5 - but fell aboard Napoleon Dynamite.
Guy Ford rode Kung Fu Hustle to a score of 77, taking his total to 151 and secure third place, while Brett Hanrahan came agonisingly close to winning the event by conquering eight seconds on Arachnaphobia.
Cloncurry cowboy Dean McIntyre saved his best for last to win the steer wrestling final with a score of 4.4 seconds finalising his two-round total of 9.75 seconds.
Shane Iker made a mess of his rivals in the rope and tie event to win by more than four seconds.
