MOUNT Isa Mines Rotary Rodeo committee are hopeful this year’s numbers through the gate will rival the record-breaking attendance the event saw in 2013.
The stands were packed on Saturday and filled up throughout the short finals on Sunday with patrons looking to cheer on rodeo competitors and partake in some festival eating and drinking.
Last year 30,000 people walked through the gates to watch the biggest rodeo in the Southern Hemisphere.
Isa Rodeo Manager Natalie Flecker said the final numbers wouldn’t be tallied until later this week, however early counts indicated a great turn-out.
“Early indications show strong crowds on par with last year, which was a record year,” she said.
“We are very, very happy with how the event ran and the numbers that came through and also the action in the arena.
“It was world class, the stock was good and it made the cowboy’s efforts worthwhile that travelled here to compete.”
Ms Flecker said competitor injuries were limited with only a few broken bones reported to officials.
During the Grand Entry Parade on Sunday former rodeo Chairman Greg Breen was presented with a Mount Isa Rodeo buckle for his six years of service to the event.
Australian Professional Rodeo Association general manager Steve Hilton was also presented with a buckle.
Ms Flecker said Hilton had not missed an Isa Rodeo in 37 years and, using his skill as an Australian bull riding champion, taught the city’s first rodeo school students how to ride a bucking bull.
