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23 July, 2025
Young rodeo stars ready to shine in the North West
The best of the best from around the world will take part in a Youth Challenge.
Almost 40 of the world’s best junior cowboys and cowgirls are saddling up for Mount Isa – ready to ride, rope and race at the most legendary rodeo.
The Mount Isa Mines Rodeo thunders to life from August 8 to 10, with the future of the sport on proud display.
These rising stars from the USA, Australia and New Zealand are converging for the first Australian leg of the inaugural 2025 International Youth Rodeo Challenge – and they’re bringing serious talent, grit and glory with them.
Young rodeo guns aged from 8 to 18 will compete for bragging rights and buckles, showcase their skills in bull riding, barrel racing, roping and roughstock events, and rub shoulders with some of the greatest open riders in the sport.
Run by the Youth Rodeo Organisation, the Australian leg of the tour kicks off at Mount Isa before continuing on to Richmond and the North Queensland Elite Rodeo in Townsville.
Meanwhile, the Trans-Tasman Challenge will see teams from New Zealand and Australia reignite friendly rivalry at Mount Isa again this year.
Australians representing in the famous red dirt arena hail from Emerald, Jericho, Richmond, Miriam Vale, Kingaroy, Oberon and Cloncurry to name a few.
Internationals to watch out for include:
Jacki “Bad to the Bone” Gayle, a 14-year-old bullrider and New Mexico rodeo princess;
Eight-year-old Axton Hale, a bullrider from Texas, and a star in the peewee division;
Brooke Atkinson, the 2025 NZ rookie barrel racing and all-round champion;
Gus Teeter, a 15-year-old Georgia boy bringing serious heat in the junior bull riding stakes; and
Kiwi Makara Parsons-Lees , who clocked a 16.81-second barrel run recently. Watch her ride!
TEAM AUSTRALIA
Cade Ferguson
Mitchell Wharton
Cooper Hoare
Rex Walker
Max Meredith
Jayden Kenny
Rhys O’Toole
Jordan O’Toole
Shaelee Keliher
Riley O’Dell
Noah Dingle
Jhett Diplock Barron
Jessie Amber
Ethan Mikaelesor