Southern hemisphere’s largest rodeo returns after tumultuous times

Red dust, huge crowds and raging bulls are back in action at Mount Isa Rodeo, and the outback legacy is here to stay.

Almost 2,000 kilometres north-west of Brisbane, it’s not the outback city’s first rodeo.

And thanks to a team of dedicated volunteers, it won’t be the last.

“The vibes are electric, it’s the red dirt, it’s the people, it’s the feel of it all,” said committee member Ally Finlay.

Despite being on the brink of collapse just months ago, the largest and richest rodeo in the southern hemisphere made a comeback in front of a record crowd on the weekend.

About 700 cowboys and cowgirls from all over Australia, New Zealand and America competed for a prize pool of almost $200,000 and coveted belt buckles.

Organisers said the goal was to bring the world-famous rodeo back to its roots, after the event fell into voluntary administration in September 2024.

Administrators SV Partners revealed at least 83 creditors were owed $1.9 million, after ticket sales and competitor numbers plummeted at last year’s rodeo.

Former chair Rowena McNally told the ABC at the time the board took full responsibility for putting the event’s future into doubt.

In a bid to bring the rodeo back from the brink, the Queensland government injected an extra $2 million into the Mount Isa Transition Fund.

It meant the largest rodeo in the southern hemisphere continued into its 66th year.

“We were never going let it fail, we were going to do everything in our power to make it successful,” said chair of the Isa Rodeo Board Mark “Thomo” Thompson. 

“We listened to the public and went back to basics. 

“Our biggest focus on this whole rodeo was to make it family affordable.

“And that’s what we’ve done from the [get] go, we slashed gate prices to half.”

Community determined to save event

In the North West town of Mount Isa, the title of being the rodeo capital of Australia is not something locals take lightly.

The Isa rodeo injects tens of millions of dollars into the local economy and is the heart of the outback town’s identity.

Committee member and owner of Yelvertoft Station, near Camooweal, Marcus Curr said Mount Isa was not about to let the rodeo vanish.

“We’ve had six months to get this together and everyone has worked very, very hard,” Mr Curr said.

Ms Finlay moved to Mount Isa this year and jumped on board the committee.

“I’m really passionate about bringing rodeo in Australia back to life and making it just as big as in America,” she said.

“Buchanan Park is one of the best rodeo arenas in the country.”

International appeal

Despite the rodeo’s troubles, its international reputation has not wavered.

The International Youth Rodeo Organisation brought young riders from the United States and New Zealand to outback Queensland to compete against Australia’s best.

US delegate Diedra Hale was part of the event last year and said she was concerned when she heard it might not have been on the cards for 2025.

“For them to see a rodeo of this magnitude and everything that it brings to the table is awe-inspiring for these kids that haven’t left the United States.”

Mount Isa barrel racer Holly Bryant, 17, had just returned from competing in Oklahoma at the International Youth Rodeo Championship before taking up the Isa Rodeo challenge for a third time.

“It’s good to be home,” she said.

“I think the rodeo is vital to Mount Isa, it really gives it a name for itself and entices people to come here and see what we have.