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Mount Isa Mines Rodeo's 60th year celebrations will end on a high note with an International Challenge of North American champions taking on the 2019 Aussie champions.
Isa Rodeo CEO Natalie Flecker said the North Americans would be led by four time World Bareback Champion Bobby Mote.
"Mount Isa Mines is again sponsoring the International Challenge, which will give rodeo fans an incredible opportunity to see American competitors including six time NFR qualifier steer wrestler Stockton Graves in action," Ms Flecker said.
"While Bobby Mote retired in 2017, he is a true legend of the rodeo world and we are looking forward to welcoming him and the whole team."
Tourism Minister Kate Jones said visitors attending this year's rodeo can expect to witness a blockbuster showdown between the two countries in the 60 year anniversary celebrations.
"This event is the best destination in the Southern Hemisphere to watch rodeo action live, attracting nearly 40,000 attendees," Ms Jones said.
Glencore's Maryann Wipaki said last year's inaugural Mount Isa Mines International Challenge had been such a spectacle that MIM was delighted to again support the International Challenge to mark the 60th anniversary.
"We've invested $30,000 to bring the International Rodeo Team made up of North America's top cowboys and cowgirls to take on the best of our Australian competitors," Ms Wipaki said. "Mount Isa and our Aussie team will give the North Americans a true taste of the best rodeo action Australia has to offer, which will see them return for future rodeos."
Ms Flecker said the North American team would each compete in one of the eight rodeo events - bull riding, saddlebronc, bareback, ladies barrel race, team roping, rope and tie, steer wrestling and breakaway roping for the International Challenge on Sunday, August 11.
The Australian champions of each event will compete against their equivalent American champion to end the four days of action ahead of the Rodeo Rock concert in the arena headlined by John Farnham on Sunday night.
The North American team also includes Rhett Fitzpatrick (Saddle Bronc Riding), Joe Mattern (Team Roping - Heeler), Katie Mote (Barrel Racing), Jessy Davis (Bareback Riding), Riley Blankenship (Bull Riding), Trey Johnson (Team Roping - Heeler), Canadian Shelby Boisjoli (Ladies Breakway Roping), Dillon Wickum (Rope and Tie), Cody McCluskey (Team Roping - Header) and Justin Parrish (Team Roping - Headers). Canadian rodeo announcer Joe Braniff and American rodeo comedy clown, Cliff "Hollywood" Harris will also return.
Ms Flecker said the International Challenge was part of a strategy to target the American market for the event.
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