Mt Isa International Rodeo

Mt Isa will play host to more than their usual mining industry hard men this August, it will also have the equally tough cowboys visiting for the 2010 Xstrata Mount Isa Rotary Rodeo.

The Rodeo runs from August 6 to 8, and will see an influx of cowboys, locals and visitors primed for some real outback cowboy action at the Kalkadoon Stadium at the Buchanan Park complex in Mt Isa.

The Rodeo is now in its 52nd year, and attracts the best rodeo competitors from Australia, USA, Canada, New Zealand and Japan who compete for a $200,000 prize pool.

With events like saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, breakaway roping, and barrel racing, the action never stops. But by far the most popular and exciting event would have to be the bull riding, this fast and unpredictable sport demands only the toughest competitors and even watching from the grandstand is not for the faint hearted.

The action isn’t confined to the arena though with side show alley, the XXXX Angels and the Rodeo Queen Quest going on throughout, the opening night Mardi Gras parade is always great fun but will this year feature a spectacular laser light show fir the first time.

Golden guitar winners Catherine Britt and Amber Lawrence will perform as well as 2008 Australian Idol runner-up Luke Dickens and other acclaimed performers in the Irish Club Country Music Festival.

This year will also see another first for the Rodeo, a new arena act – Running Wild Equestrian Entertainment – an extravaganza of thrilling show riders performing trick riding stunts.

The Rodeo is a big deal for the city which gets into the spirit of the rodeo with locals dressing up their businesses and schools with all manner of rodeo themed displays. Being judged the “Best Dressed” premises brings bragging rights for the year and is hotly contested.

For more information on the Mount Isa Rodeo and other great information on the city and things to see and do, check out our Mt Isa page, or our Mt Isa Rodeo page.