Mount Isa Rodeo pulls in the crowds...
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Mount Isa Mines Rodeo has won the best tourism event in Australia twice in the last three years and its going from strength to strength in the year of the Outback. Queensland tourism minister Kate Jones opened the rodeo on Friday night and said a record number of visitors were at this year's event. "Mount Isa is what we think of when we think of the Queensland Outback," Ms Jones said. "This is an amazing part of our state and very special in people's minds, already I've met many people who have used the year of the outback to come to the Mount Isa Rodeo." Ms Jones said Tourism and Events Queensland's North American consultant was at the rodeo. "He's brought out a large contingent of Americans and we definitely think there is a revival of American tourists coming to Australia and there is potential to create a link between America's West and our Outback," she said. Ms Jones said there had been growth in all of the major events this year such as the Big Red Bash, Boulia Camel Races and now the Isa Rodeo. SEE ALSO OUR PHOTOS FROM FRIDAY, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY. "We partnered our funding with these events to market to new destinations," she said. When asked asked "Year of the Outback 2", she laughed and said, "yeah, there are a few ideas, they are on the premier's desk." As for the Rodeo, the International Challenge returned for the second year in a row to round out Sunday's events, before the closing concert with John Farnham. Isa Rodeo CEO Natalie Flecker said the Mount Isa Mines International Challenge had added a new element to the event's competition with the Americans winning seven of the eight challenges. "Both the North American and Australian teams were incredible to watch but our international competitors were too strong for our homegrown heroes this year," Ms Flecker said. "It's been a huge four days and we hope all our visitors, competitors, volunteers and locals will remember the year we celebrated 60 years of Isa Rodeos." Australian 2018 PBR Champion 21-year-old Clermont rider Aaron Kleier won the only event for the Aussies, straight after breaking the arena record in the Open Bull Ride with an 89 point ride onboard Slammin' Jam. Rohan Markham of Ravenshoe took out the bull ride belt buckle. And after the Voice wowed the arena on Sunday and the trucks came in to clear everything out of Buchanan Park, it was time to start planning for next year. The next Mount Isa Mines Rodeo will be held on the second weekend of August, 2020. READ ALSO: Beat the Heat Festival returns to Cloncurry in September While you are here subscribe to our weekly email to your inbox at 6am every Friday
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Mount Isa Rodeo pulls in the crowdsMount Isa Mines Rodeo has won the best tourism event in Australia twice in the last three years and its going from strength to strength in the year of the Outback.
Queensland tourism minister Kate Jones opened the rodeo on Friday night and said a record number of visitors were at this year's event.
"Mount Isa is what we think of when we think of the Queensland Outback," Ms Jones said.
RED RIOT: The op shop barrel race on Friday is always a popular and colourful part of the Isa Rodeo. Photos: Derek Barry
"This is an amazing part of our state and very special in people's minds, already I've met many people who have used the year of the outback to come to the Mount Isa Rodeo."
Ms Jones said Tourism and Events Queensland's North American consultant was at the rodeo.
"He's brought out a large contingent of Americans and we definitely think there is a revival of American tourists coming to Australia and there is potential to create a link between America's West and our Outback," she said.
Ms Jones said there had been growth in all of the major events this year such as the Big Red Bash, Boulia Camel Races and now the Isa Rodeo.
"We partnered our funding with these events to market to new destinations," she said.
When asked asked "Year of the Outback 2", she laughed and said, "yeah, there are a few ideas, they are on the premier's desk."
As for the Rodeo, the International Challenge returned for the second year in a row to round out Sunday's events, before the closing concert with John Farnham.
Isa Rodeo CEO Natalie Flecker said the Mount Isa Mines International Challenge had added a new element to the event's competition with the Americans winning seven of the eight challenges.
"Both the North American and Australian teams were incredible to watch but our international competitors were too strong for our homegrown heroes this year," Ms Flecker said.
HIGH HORSE: Josh Jones lets fly in the barebacks final on Sunday. He eventually finished second.
"It's been a huge four days and we hope all our visitors, competitors, volunteers and locals will remember the year we celebrated 60 years of Isa Rodeos."
Australian 2018 PBR Champion 21-year-old Clermont rider Aaron Kleier won the only event for the Aussies, straight after breaking the arena record in the Open Bull Ride with an 89 point ride onboard Slammin' Jam.
And after the Voice wowed the arena on Sunday and the trucks came in to clear everything out of Buchanan Park, it was time to start planning for next year.
The next Mount Isa Mines Rodeo will be held on the second weekend of August, 2020.