2 VNRS – the Indigenous Clinic and Day 1
All the below featured in the VNR and stills
Cowgirl with Wings flies at Isa!
This year there’s a different kind of cowgirl in the red dirt arena, Dayna Bradshaw, otherwise known as the Cowgirl with Wings is literally flying around the arena and sending dirt airborne! Hailing from NSW country, Dayna is one of Australia’s leading female trick riders, she performs the full American-style spectacle, backbends, handstands, gymnastics stunts, all at full gallop. Travelling with her is her goose POPCORN, who she has hand raised since she was two days old, and is the ‘wings’ behind the name!
AND THIS WEEKEND IS HER BUCKET LIST – “Mount Isa Mines Rodeo has been my dream rodeo to perform at since I was 16,” Dayna says. “Finally stepping into the famous red dirt arena at Mount Isa will be a career highlight, and I can’t wait to share the magic with everyone.”
Ladies Bronc Riding Series makes history
History is being made at the mighty Mount Isa Mines Rodeo with the Ladies Bronc Riding Series’ debut.
Featuring elite female competitors the Series celebrates the grit, courage and skill of women in rodeo and sees female riders compete in traditional Australian stock saddles, riding one or two handed. Prize money is equal to novice events, alongside the presentation of the Inaugural Ladies Bronc Riding Series buckle.
The sport traces its roots back to the 1930s, when pioneering women including Violet Skuthorpe, Kitty and Gladys Gill, Berryl Riley and Pat Keneally lined up alongside the rodeo chutes across Australia to ride broncs. While the discipline faded from the spotlight during the 1980s, the spirit of the sport never disappeared. Female riders continued to compete quietly across the country, and in late 2025, a major opportunity emerged through the Australian Professional Rodeo Association to reignite the series and bring Ladies Buckjump back to centre arena. The inaugural series has been driven by Dr Hayley Rose…..
From Victoria to ‘Isa on a dad & daughter rodeo road trip – meet the Travelling Willoughbys, on a 3,800km round trip FROM Benalla to Isa and home
Meet Tom Willoughby; he’s a rodeo legend, and the Mount Isa Rodeo buckle holder for Steer Wrestling. That’s not all, he’s been All-Round Cowboys in the Australian Professional Rodeo Association, has a sagging mantelpiece of buckles and has rodeo in his blood – his grandad, also named Tom, won 2 All Round titles, 2 steer wrestling titles, 2 saddle bronc titles and 4 Bull Ride titles, the second most bull ride titles behind Barry Gravener who won 5 in his incredible career in the 60’s.
He’s back at Isa to defend his 2025 buckle, with his daughter Lottie on a Dad-Daughter rodeo road trip!! Lottie is a brilliant little Barrel racer and is competing on her horse, Superman!!
MOUNT ISA MINES RODEO …..
The 67th Mount Isa Mines Rodeo presented by Akubra has drawn one of the largest and most geographically diverse fields in Australian rodeo, with almost 800 competitor starts to converge on Buchanan Park and Kalkadoon Arena this weekend to contest the richest prize purse in the event’s 67-year history.
This year’s field reflects the continued growth of the sport, with 200 female competition starts, 240 junior competition starts, and competitors travelling from every mainland Australian state, Tasmania and New Zealand, and the debut of the inaugural Ladies Bronc Series, cementing Mount Isa’s reputation as Australia’s greatest celebration of rodeo.
Queensland represented!
Queensland riders have travelled from every corner of the state, including Mount Isa, Cloncurry, Richmond, Hughenden, Charters Towers, Emerald, Rockhampton, Winton, Roma, Blackall, Goondiwindi, Warwick, Townsville, Yeppoon, Moura, Alpha, Taroom, Longreach, Julia Creek, Boulia and Birdsville, along with dozens of other regional and rural communities, highlighting the Mount Isa Mines Rodeo’s status as the meeting place for Australia’s rodeo heartland.
One of the standout stories is Cloncurry, which once again boasts one of the largest representations at the rodeo, with multiple generations of competitors and rodeo families making the short trip to Mount Isa.
The interstate challengers
New South Wales challengers hail from Oberon, Willow Tree, Tamworth, Dubbo, Singleton, Moree, Gundagai, Manilla and across the Central West and New England regions. Victorians have come from Wodonga, Benalla, Tongala, Maldon, Colac and beyond. South Australia, Tasmania, the Northern Territory and New Zealand are all represented, some making it a 4,000km round rodeo trip!
The future of rodeo – Juniors step up
The next generation of Australian rodeo will be on full display with 240 junior competition starts, many being from families who have ridden at Mount Isa for years. The youngest – 6 years old!!
Women of rodeo
An historic 200 female competition starts across Barrel Racing, Breakaway Roping and the inaugural Ladies Bronc Series, will take this rodeo into the record books.
The fans
Thousands of fans have descended on The ‘Isa as the beating heart of Australian rodeo, where the nation’s elite competitors chase glory and a share of the largest prize purse in the event’s 67-year history, and the chance to etch their name alongside the legends of the sport. Fresh from a record comeback event in 2025, organisers are ready for an even bigger event as the Southern Hemisphere’s largest rodeo. Highlights include:
- Champions returning to defend their buckles and challengers lining up for glory, plus more junior and female competitors than ever.
- The inaugural Ladies Bronc Series, featuring Australia’s elite female bronc riders – women’s bronc riding has a rich history in Australia, and it’s time these incredible athletes had their own stage at the country’s best rodeo.
- Cowgirl with Wings flies in the arena – Dayna Bradshaw, otherwise known as the Cowgirl with Wings makes her Isa Rodeo debut. From NSW, she is one of Australia’s leading female trick riders, performing the full American-style spectacle, backbends, handstands, gymnastics stunts, all at full gallop. “Finally stepping into the famous red dirt arena at Mount Isa will be a career highlight, and I can’t wait to share the magic with everyone.”
- NRL legend, proud Indigenous man and community champion Sam Thaiday returns this year as ambassador for the Mount Isa Mines Indigenous Rodeo Championships.
- The world’s most famed didgeridoo artist, and proud Kalkadoon man William Barton will perfrom before and after the Indigenous Rodeo Championships on Sunday.
- Australian singer-songwriter Elvis Kernaghan making his debut in the red dirt. Born in a tin shed on Springbrook Mountain and raised travelling through some of Australia’s remote communities, Elvis Kernaghan has country music running through his veins. Townsville’s own, The Barnyard Band will headline entertainment across Friday and Saturday nights, August 7 and 8.
- 2025 Warwick Rodeo Queen and Horsemanship winner Cheyenne Neylon has travelled 1,800km north for the event. This year marks her first visit to Mount Isa Mines Rodeo.
- Glamour returns with Cowgirls in the Capital Cocktail Brunch – after selling out in ONE HOUR – Saturday 8 August, at the brand-new Cattleman’s Bar, this fashion savvy brunch happens with a side of sparkle, sass and sisterhood.
- New for 2026 is the RODEO RUNWAY event on Saturday August 8, held in the Back Paddock. The event is open to kids through to adults, and the best cowboy and cowgirl and western fashion is expected – think Yellowstone meets the red dirt on a runway!!!
- Line Dancing returns for the second year and the biggest village yet is hosted – Buchanan Park will become one of Outback Australia’s biggest country markets, foodie festivals and western shopping experiences all rolled into one.
“The Mount Isa Mines Rodeo isn’t just another stop on the circuit, it’s the ride every cowboy and cowgirl wants to win,” he said. “The buckles awarded here are the most recognised and respected in Australian rodeo, and they’re sought after by riders right across the country and increasingly from overseas,” said Mount Isa Pro Rodeo Community Board Chair Mark ‘Thommo’ Thompson. “When you combine the best stock in Australia with the country’s best riders, you get something pretty special – faster times, bigger rides, and eight-second battles that people talk about for years. It’s a total coup for spectators, we can guarantee a bucket list experience!”
2026 MOUNT ISA MINES RODEO presented by Akubra
Fri 7th August – Sun 9th August 2026
Buchanan Park Events Complex, George St & Sutton St, Mount Isa QLD 4825
Website: Mount Isa Rodeo
TICKETS ON SALE Mount Isa Rodeo
Daily Entry Passes – Friday 7th August, Saturday 8th August and Sunday 9 August 2026
Adult (18+) $50
Pensioner $35
Child (8-17 years) $20
Child (0-7) free
Family Day Pass (2 adults + 3 children) $120
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Three Day Rodeo Passes
Adult (18+) $120
Pensioner $90
Family $300 (remember this includes THREE kids!)
All Children must be accompanied by an adult
WITH THANKS
The Mount Isa Mines Rodeo is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland.
