General News
21 May, 2025
Rodeo boosts prizemoney to draw Australia's best competitors
Every open event will be worth $15,000 at the 2025 Mount Isa Mines Rodeo.
Rodeo competitors from across the country have given the thumbs up to news of major prizemoney increases at this year’s Mount Isa Mines Rodeo.
All open events will now have a prize pool of $15,000 – up from $12,000 last year.
The only exception is the open bull ride, which had a pool of $24,000 in 2024.
Overall, there will be more than $9000 in additional prizemoney up for grabs at this year’s iconic event, making it the biggest prize pool in the rodeo’s 66-year history.
It’s welcome news for some of the brightest stars of the rodeo circuit.
Gympie cowgirl Tyra Spring, who finished fifth in the barrel racing at last year’s Mount Isa Mines Rodeo, has her sights set on the northern circuit in July and August this year.
She said the prizemoney rise in both of her events – barrel racing and breakaway roping – would help her cause in trying to claim Rookie of the Year.
“This is my rookie year and I’m keen to give it a crack,” the 18-year-old said.
“To hear of an extra $3000 in both events is great news, especially after hearing all of the bad news that came out of Mount Isa last year (Isa Rodeo Ltd going into administration).
“Now I just have to be good enough to win some of it.”
Victorian bareback rider and former Mount Isa Rodeo champ Jarrod McKane said the cost of travelling far and wide meant that prizemoney increases were warmly welcomed.
“Going up to $15,000 is a fair bit of a difference,” he said.
“When you travel all that way you want to make sure it’s worth it if you can win or at least get into the final.”
McKane said the extra prizemoney should also encourage some of his rivals to make the trip for what is known as the Northern Run, with rodeos at venues like Charters Towers, Richmond, Cloncurry, Mount Isa and Townsville helping competitors make a decent earn if they can perform.
“I think you do your best if the competition is strong,” he told North West Weekly.
McKane also backed the decision to move the finals.
“It’s always been about the championship Sunday,” he said, having first made the trip to Buchanan Park in 2018.
“Hopefully having the finals back on Sunday brings back the old vibe.”
Mount Isa Rodeo committee chairman Mark Thompson said increasing the prize pool would help the city’s major event stay at the top of the pile for rodeos in Australia.
“We hope that this is just the start of prizemoney increases,” he said.
“If we have a good year we can then look at increasing the money each year to make us one of the biggest rodeos, not just in the southern hemisphere, but everywhere.”
Tommo said the increases were made possible by the level of support from sponsors, both at a local and state level.
“Everything is starting to come together nicely,” he said of the August 8-10 event.
“We’ve had a lot of local businesses put their hand up to sponsor this year and we’re very grateful for that support.
“There are a lot of people looking forward to this year’s event and we’re hoping to see full grandstands after we cut the price of tickets.”
COWBOY GREATS TO PUT ON FREE CLINIC
The fourth iteration of Mount Isa’s Indigenous Rodeo Championships is set to return this August, with a free Indigenous rodeo clinic added to this year’s program.
In its first few years, the Indigenous Rodeo has grown to into an award-winning event which unites riders, artists and fans, celebrating First Nations athletes.
Kalkadoon man Donovan Rutherford will lead the free Indigenous rodeo clinic alongside Jake Curr.
Rutherford, a national rodeo champion, and Curr, a professional bull riding rookie champion, are lifelong mates, having ridden together since they were six years old.
They’ll be joined by champion protection athlete and proud Waanyi man Darryl Chong, who has a longtime connection to the Mount Isa Rodeo and is committed to mentoring and guiding the next generation of riders.
Mount Isa Rodeo chair Mark “Tommo” Thompson said he hoped Indigenous riders from across the country would nominate for this year’s Indigenous Rodeo Championships and make the trip to the mining city.
“To see the level of skill, commitment and interest from our Indigenous riders – particularly the young guns coming up through the ranks – shows this sport is in great hands,” he said.
The free clinic is slated to run on Thursday, August 7 at the Mount Isa Campdraft grounds. The all-day event is open to all
Indigenous adults and teens with an interest in learning the ropes.