The event will also welcome emerging stars, like sisters Jacy (13) and Tyler (12) Moreton, two local Longreach girls who are just as comfortable on a horse, as they are on the ground.

Tyler Morton dreams of competing in the American Rodeo circuit as a barrel racer.

She loves the speed, the turns and the accuracy of the sport, and in two weeks at Longreach she will compete in the Junior and Open Ladies Barrel.

Her sister Jacy will compete against her in the Junior Barrel, and then swap saddles for the mini-bull ride.

The girls have been riding since they were babies, you could say it's in their DNA with their dad Scott a former bullrider who did two professional rodeo tours in NZ and competed nationally, and their mum Meg a country girl and horse lover.

In what will prove a moment in Australia rodeo history, Longreach will welcome one of the youngest competitors in eight-year-old Byron Kirk from Mount Isa who in 2021 shared the poddy calf ride title at the Mount Isa Mines Rodeo, and 91-year-old rodeo legend, Bob Holder, who may possibly be the oldest rodeo rider in the world. Between them, there's 83 years.

Holder hails from Cootamundra and has competed for 76 years and proudly has a place in the sport's Hall of Fame.

He's inspired generations of rider, including his daughter Kerrie, who is well known in the APRA circuit and is the current Mount Isa Mines Rodeo Open Barrel Champion. All eyes will be on this father-daughter-duo at Longreach.

Byron is making the 700km journey from Mount Isa. His Melissa mum remembers him seeing his first PBR belt when he was two years old, and saying, "I want to get that belt."

Also confirmed to ride at Longreach is reigning Mount Isa Mines Rodeo Open Bareback Bronc Rider Fred Osman. He stepped out of retirement to compete last year, having won the title last in 2013. But that wasn't all, the Cameron's Corner rodeo star also took out the second division Bareback Bronc title.

Rounding out the trio of champions from the Mount Isa Mines Rodeo set to compete at Longreach is Sam Weston, who scored an 140 points in the Second Division Saddle Bronc competition last year to take the coveted buckle.

APRA chair Shane Iker will compete at Longreach and said he can't hang up his boots because he loves practicing and competing with his son, Jordan, saying "If you're going to be beaten, why not get beaten by your son?"

Other names headed to Longreach include Clancy and Tenielle Middleton from Hughenden, the Ferguson family from Cloncurry and Leanne Caban from Emerald.

Road to Rodeo Longreach features a full rodeo program and a knockout country music line-up starring national music makers and multi-award winners The Wolfe Brothers, Bella Mackenzie, Luke Geiger & Bareback and James Johnston as well as locals Corinne Ballard and John Hawkes.

The Road to Rodeo series aims to create four new annual rodeo events across Queensland by 2024, representing a long-term economic injection to the state of over $4 million.

The full program can be seen at https://www.isarodeo.com.au/road-to-rodeo-longreach/

Road to Rodeo LONGREACH: An Isa Rodeo Event Experience

Saturday 30th April and Sunday 1st May, 2022

Longreach Showgrounds and Rodeo Arena

Tickets, accommodation packages and travel itineraries: all at isarodeo.com.au

Mount Isa Mines Rodeo

Thursday 11th August to Sunday 14th August 2022

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