In short:
The Mount Isa Rodeo has just hosted bull and bronco riders from across the globe.
It is the largest and richest rodeo in the southern hemisphere.
What’s next?
Hosting the world’s best bull riders brings international acclaim for the North West Queensland town.
North West Queensland proudly claims to be the home of bulls and broncos, and it’s giving the rodeo-loving American state of Texas a run for its chaps.
Junior bull riders from the land of longhorn cattle – and some scenes from the TV series Yellowstone – battled the best of Australia’s young cowboys at the Mount Isa Rodeo, the largest and richest rodeo in the southern hemisphere.
The sport involves riders staying on a bucking bull or bronco for eight seconds to qualify for a ranking score out of 50.
This ain’t Texas … it’s Isa
Donning championship buckles while bursting out of the chutes, 12-year-old Sam Britton flew 30 hours from Texas in the United States to ride in Queensland.
Britton was crowned the 2024 Mini Bull Mexico International Champion and looked to add another shiny belt to his growing collection.
He said he was “praying and giving all my guts and glory to God” while competing against the Australian cowboys.
“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity, so getting to go here is a really big deal,” he said.
“Feels like you’re on top of the world.”
New Mexico to Queensland
Tyson Acosta has been on the back of bulls since he was three in his home state of New Mexico.
The 17-year-old’s visit to the Australian outback was his first time competing outside the US.
He was using it as another notch in his belt to get him to the professional circuit.
He said his rodeo necklace kept him close to his roots while he was holding on for his life in the ring.
“It says ‘Texas Outlaw Youth Bull Riders’,” he said.
“My grandma gave it to me, and I think of her when I wear it.”
Tyson said that while it was his first time on an Australian bull, the feeling of charging into the arena remained the same.
Rodeo-style Bledisloe Cup
Plenty of New Zealanders were also in Mount Isa to take to the chutes at the inaugural Trans-Tasman Rodeo Challenge.
Son of six-time New Zealand Rodeo All Round champion Corey Church, Mervyn Church Jr, said he had been told about the rodeo since he was a little kid.
“My uncles, father and cousins have all come over, so it’s finally good to be here,” Mr Church said.
He said attending the Mount Isa Rodeo was an opportunity for New Zealanders to network globally and develop new skills.
“To get the same calibre of competitors and stock just across the Ditch as they have in the States is awesome,” he said.
Who runs the ring? Girls
Bronco rider Jayde Asher has dominated the sport in New Zealand after a decade in the ring.
“We don’t have anything quite like this, so we’d love for it to be like this one day,” she said.
Ms Asher said she hoped her rodeo counterparts were better than the Australian rugby team.
“It will just be very cool to see the two countries come together and battle it out for a day,” she said.
Legendary barrel racer Leanne Caban said she hasn’t kept count of her titles over 30 years of competing.
Based in Emerald, west of Rockhampton, the horse trainer and breeder said she enjoyed competing against international talent.
“It definitely makes us ride harder,” she said.
“We’d never want to be beat by international competition but it’s great to have them here.”
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