The Mount Isa Mines Rodeo has wrapped up after four days of world-class rodeo competition with Australia's top cowboys and competitors thrilling big crowds with spectacular skill and courage.
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Isa Rodeo CEO Natalie Flecker said the competitors, rodeo fans and entertainment artists were thrilled to be back participating in a live event after missing out in 2020.
"Everyone's excited, our competitors have missed competing and the atmosphere has been amazing all round the arena and behind the chutes," Ms Flecker said.
Long-time Isa Rodeo Arena Director Steve Hilton said this weekend's rodeo attracted 757 entries from 569 competitors.
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"All events across the program were highly contested on outstanding stock," Mr Hilton said.
"We were very fortunate that most of the top competitors were already in Queensland on the Australian Professional Rodeo Association northern run. Mount Isa is the title everyone wants to win."
Troy Wilkinson took out the coveted open bull ride buckle but there were winners everywhere.
From a three-way tie for first in the Poddy Ride shared by Byron Kirk, Clay Gill and Tately Spain to 90-year-old Bob Holder delighting crowds in the Over 55s Team Roping, and two-time NSPRA-USA World Champion All Round Over 40s cowboy David Mawhinney taking out the Over 40s Bull Ride title, the weekend was full of magic moments.
Best mates from Cameron Corner, Fred Osman and Tony Caldwell won the Open Bronc Riding titles, with Fred coming out of retirement to win his fourth Isa Rodeo Bareback title and Australian Saddlebronc champion Tony finally winning his first Isa Saddlebronc buckle after 15 years of trying.
Kerry Holder won the ladies barrels from Candy Michaelis and Ellysa Kenny while Luke Ford won the steer wrestling.
Cameron Hodson and Liam Davidson won the team roping while Jade Tribe won the ladies breakaway.
The four day rodeo festival saw Queensland legends Jonathan Thurston mobbed by fans, and rugby league star Scotty Prince return to his hometown for the event. Rodeo legends like Dave Johnston, the first cowboy to ever ride time on notorious bull "Chainsaw" and bareback specialist Tony Hecksher enjoyed catching up with rodeo mates. with the latter's name added to the Isa Rodeo Hall of Fame this year.
Outside the arena, Lee Kernaghan hit the right note with a crowd of diehard fans, and latecomers Sheppard wowed with crowd favourites "Geronimo" and "Coming Home" while the Shank Brothers cooked up a storm at their live BBQ shows.
The Mount Isa Mines Rodeo is expected to inject $16 million into the Mount Isa economy.
The 2022 Mount Isa Mines Rodeo will be held August 11-14, 2022.
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