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Records smashed at Mount Isa Mines Rodeo

Mount Isa Mines Rodeo

The red dirt is flying and records are being smashed in the arena and through the gates as thousands converge on Buchanan Park for the biggest and most celebrated rodeo in the Southern Hemisphere.

IMAGERY,  INTERVIEWS AND VISION ALL BELOW.

 

The 67th Mount Isa Mines Rodeo presented by Akubra has drawn one of the largest and most geographically diverse fields in Australian rodeo, with almost 800 competitor starts to converge on Buchanan Park and Kalkadoon Arena this weekend to contest the richest prize purse in the event's 67-year history. This year's field reflects the continued growth of the sport, with 200 female competition starts, 240 junior competition starts, and competitors travelling from every mainland Australian state, Tasmania and New Zealand, and the debut of the inaugural Ladies Bronc Series, cementing Mount Isa's reputation as Australia's greatest celebration of rodeo.

 

 

DAY 2 FILMED VISION AND IMAGERY

2 VNRS – the Indigenous Clinic and Day 1

 

VNR: USA Consult General Jeremy Cornforth, 11 year old bull rider Toby Remfrey from Cloncurry, 13 year old Pitta Pitta female rider Lareece Daly Thompson rides 8 SECONDS (amazing vision of her and her dad), then FAB overlay!

 

Thirteen-year-old Kalkadoon and Pitta Pitta cowgirl Lareece Daley-Kennedy from Mount Isa rode EIGHT SECONDS is making waves on the international stage.

She has been selected to compete at the Professional Youth Roughstock Association World Finals in Oklahoma and the World Championship Mini Bulls World Finals in Texas later this month, but first she is riding on SATURDAY at the first event Naidoc Weed Rodeo in her hometown in the Under 15 Junior Steer Ride, and as usual, is the only girl!  The family was desperately working to raise around $15,000 to get Lareece to America, with support already pouring in from across the North West THEN the ISA RODEO stepped up – sponsoring her for $10,000 as part of their commitment to pathways for young and indigenous riders.

 

United States Consul General Jeremy Cornforth is on his first his first visit to Mt Isa and to the Mount Isa rodeo: he noted connections between the United States and Queensland - many of them found right here in Mount Isa – the farming, cattle properties,  cowboy culture, country music, mining, and critical minerals – in what Rodeo hopes will be the beginning of strong SISTER RODEO partnerships.  

 

Cowgirls in the Capital Cocktail Brunch

Back for its second year, and after selling out in ONE HOUR – high fashion showed up at this glorious brunch gathering brings women together to celebrate, and raise a toast to the Isa Rodeo.

 

 

DAY 1 FILMED VISION AND IMAGERY HERE

2 VNRS – the Indigenous Clinic and Day 1

All the below featured in the VNR and stills

 

Cowgirl with Wings flies at Isa! 

This year there’s a different kind of cowgirl in the red dirt arena, Dayna Bradshaw, otherwise known as the Cowgirl with Wings is literally flying around the arena and sending dirt airborne! Hailing from NSW country, Dayna is one of Australia’s leading female trick riders, she performs the full American-style spectacle, backbends, handstands, gymnastics stunts, all at full gallop.  Travelling with her is her goose POPCORN, who she has hand raised since she was two days old, and is the ‘wings’ behind the name! AND THIS WEEKEND IS HER BUCKET LIST - “Mount Isa Mines Rodeo has been my dream rodeo to perform at since I was 16,” Dayna says. “Finally stepping into the famous red dirt arena at Mount Isa will be a career highlight, and I can’t wait to share the magic with everyone.”

 

FOUR IN THE DUST – the Murphy Brothers kick it up at ISA

They are the future of rodeo, and they have red dust in their veins, and on their boots – meet the Murphy brothers:  from left Tommy, Ashley, Tyler, and Dallas (ages from 10 to 15). These Cloncurry boys live just two hours from Mount Isa in Cloncurry in Outback Queensland and have been coming to the legendary Mount Isa Mines Rodeo since they were born. They know their way around the chutes better than the judges, and they ride like they were born on a mini-bull! They are all serious about this sport.

 

From Victoria to ‘Isa on a dad & daughter rodeo road trip – meet the Travelling Willoughbys, on a 3,800km round trip FROM Benalla to Isa and home

Meet Tom Willoughby; he’s a rodeo legend, and the Mount Isa Rodeo buckle holder for Steer Wrestling. That’s not all, he’s been All-Round Cowboys in the Australian Professional Rodeo Association, has a sagging mantelpiece of buckles and has rodeo in his blood – his grandad, also named Tom, won 2 All Round titles, 2 steer wrestling titles, 2 saddle bronc titles and 4 Bull Ride titles, the second most bull ride titles behind Barry Gravener who won 5 in his incredible career in the 60’s.

He’s back at Isa to defend his 2025 buckle, with his daughter Lottie on a Dad-Daughter rodeo road trip!! Lottie is a brilliant little Barrel racer and is competing on her horse, Superman!!

 

MOUNT ISA MINES RODEO …..

The 67th Mount Isa Mines Rodeo presented by Akubra has drawn one of the largest and most geographically diverse fields in Australian rodeo, with almost 800 competitor starts to converge on Buchanan Park and Kalkadoon Arena this weekend to contest the richest prize purse in the event's 67-year history.

 

This year's field reflects the continued growth of the sport, with 200 female competition starts, 240 junior competition starts, and competitors travelling from every mainland Australian state, Tasmania and New Zealand, and the debut of the inaugural Ladies Bronc Series, cementing Mount Isa's reputation as Australia's greatest celebration of rodeo.

 

Queensland represented!

Queensland riders have travelled from every corner of the state, including Mount Isa, Cloncurry, Richmond, Hughenden, Charters Towers, Emerald, Rockhampton, Winton, Roma, Blackall, Goondiwindi, Warwick, Townsville, Yeppoon, Moura, Alpha, Taroom, Longreach, Julia Creek, Boulia and Birdsville, along with dozens of other regional and rural communities, highlighting the Mount Isa Mines Rodeo's status as the meeting place for Australia's rodeo heartland.

 

One of the standout stories is Cloncurry, which once again boasts one of the largest representations at the rodeo, with multiple generations of competitors and rodeo families making the short trip to Mount Isa.

 

The interstate challengers

New South Wales challengers hail from Oberon, Willow Tree, Tamworth, Dubbo, Singleton, Moree, Gundagai, Manilla and across the Central West and New England regions. Victorians have come from Wodonga, Benalla, Tongala, Maldon, Colac and beyond. South Australia, Tasmania, the Northern Territory and New Zealand are all represented, some making it a 4,000km round rodeo trip!

 

The future of rodeo – Juniors step up

The next generation of Australian rodeo will be on full display with 240 junior competition starts, many being from families who have ridden at Mount Isa for years. The youngest – 6 years old!!

 

Women of rodeo

An historic 200 female competition starts across Barrel Racing, Breakaway Roping and the inaugural Ladies Bronc Series, will take this rodeo into the record books.

 

The fans

Thousands of fans have descended on The ‘Isa as the beating heart of Australian rodeo, where the nation’s elite competitors chase glory and a share of the largest prize purse in the event's 67-year history, and the chance to etch their name alongside the legends of the sport. Fresh from a record comeback event in 2025, organisers are ready for an even bigger event as the Southern Hemisphere's largest rodeo. Highlights include:

 

• Champions returning to defend their buckles and challengers lining up for glory, plus more junior and female competitors than ever.
• The inaugural Ladies Bronc Series, featuring Australia's elite female bronc riders - women's bronc riding has a rich history in Australia, and it's time these incredible athletes had their own stage at the country's best rodeo.
• Cowgirl with Wings flies in the arena - Dayna Bradshaw, otherwise known as the Cowgirl with Wings makes her Isa Rodeo debut. From NSW, she is one of Australia’s leading female trick riders, performing the full American-style spectacle, backbends, handstands, gymnastics stunts, all at full gallop.  “Finally stepping into the famous red dirt arena at Mount Isa will be a career highlight, and I can’t wait to share the magic with everyone.”
• NRL legend, proud Indigenous man and community champion Sam Thaiday returns this year as ambassador for the Mount Isa Mines Indigenous Rodeo Championships.
• The world’s most famed didgeridoo artist, and proud Kalkadoon man William Barton will perfrom before and after the Indigenous Rodeo Championships on Sunday.
• Australian singer-songwriter Elvis Kernaghan making his debut in the red dirt. Born in a tin shed on Springbrook Mountain and raised travelling through some of Australia's remote communities, Elvis Kernaghan has country music running through his veins. Townsville’s own, The Barnyard Band will headline entertainment across Friday and Saturday nights, August 7 and 8.
• 2025 Warwick Rodeo Queen and Horsemanship winner Cheyenne Neylon has travelled 1,800km north for the event. This year marks her first visit to Mount Isa Mines Rodeo.
• Glamour returns with Cowgirls in the Capital Cocktail Brunch - after selling out in ONE HOUR - Saturday 8 August, at the brand-new Cattleman’s Bar, this fashion savvy brunch happens with a side of sparkle, sass and sisterhood.
• New for 2026 is the RODEO RUNWAY event on Saturday August 8, held in the Back Paddock. The event is open to kids through to adults, and the best cowboy and cowgirl and western fashion is expected – think Yellowstone meets the red dirt on a runway!!!
• Line Dancing returns for the second year and the biggest village yet is hosted - Buchanan Park will become one of Outback Australia's biggest country markets, foodie festivals and western shopping experiences all rolled into one.

 

"The Mount Isa Mines Rodeo isn't just another stop on the circuit, it's the ride every cowboy and cowgirl wants to win," he said. "The buckles awarded here are the most recognised and respected in Australian rodeo, and they're sought after by riders right across the country and increasingly from overseas,” said Mount Isa Pro Rodeo Community Board Chair Mark 'Thommo' Thompson. "When you combine the best stock in Australia with the country's best riders, you get something pretty special - faster times, bigger rides, and eight-second battles that people talk about for years. It’s a total coup for spectators, we can guarantee a bucket list experience!”

 

2026 MOUNT ISA MINES RODEO presented by Akubra

Fri 7^th August – Sun 9^th August 2026

Buchanan Park Events Complex, George St & Sutton St, Mount Isa QLD 4825

Website: Mount Isa Rodeo

TICKETS ON SALE Mount Isa Rodeo

 

Contact details:

kath rose

[email protected]