QUAMBY Rodeo is the ninth Outback event to get the axe after widespread drought conditions left stock across the North West in poor condition, unable to make the journey to competition.
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Residents from across the region expressed their disappointment with the news on the Quamby Rodeo Facebook page after the announcement was made, with many saying 2014 couldn't come soon enough.
The Quamby Rodeo Committee posted annual rainfall statistics on the page to show people how dire the drought was and justify their decision to cancel early.
"To put this into perspective Weatherzone.com.au have the following information - Cloncurry rainfall Jan - June 1884-2009 average 343.4mm, 2013 rainfall 39.8mm. I hope his helps you to understand our decision."
This cancellation sparked rumours that Mount Isa's crown jewel event, the Xstrata Mount Isa Rotary Rodeo, could be the next event on the chopping block if no winter rain falls between now and the next wet season.
Rodeo manager Donna Kuskopf said those rumours weren't true and the committee was determined to bring a bigger and better show this year despite the drought.
"There was speculation saying Isa Rodeo was cancelled as well but it's not the case, we have a pretty solid stock contract." Mrs Kuskopf said entrants to the rodeo's photography competition were meant to travel to the Quamby Rodeo to test out their photography skills in a weekend challenge.
She said the new plan was to send the finalists to the Boulia Camel Races instead.
"At the end of the day it may have to come down to the quality of the photos our contestants enter in the first few rounds," she said.
The hype created by smaller rodeos before the Isa event will be missed by organisers this year who said other tactics would have to be used to spread rodeo fever in 2013.
"This year we'll just have to think of ways to get that fever happening in Mount Isa without these events," Mrs Kuskopf said.