Mount Isa's Indigenous Rodeo pays tribute to Blak stockmen and women

Mount Isa's Indigenous Rodeo Championship hosted for the first time the Trans-Tasman Indigenous rodeo, bringing together Aboriginal and Māori riders from either side of the ditch.

Mount Isa rodeo sees mob from all over compete on Kalkadoon Country. Credit: Stephen Mowbray

The Mount Isa Indigenous Rodeo Championship appears to grow each year, bringing together thousands on Kalkadoon Country to witness the Blak cowboys, women and jarjums high-flying action.

This year's rodeo was a special one, launching the Ah One x Church Family Trans-Tasman Indigenous Rodeo Challenge, paying tribute to the role Blak stockmen and women played in the history of the rodeo.

Injune cowboy and Guggari man Kimba Fien wins the Indigenous Saddle Bronco contest Credit: Stephen Mowbray

Lauded the Bledisloe Buck of rodeo has been created to pay tribute to George Ah One, known as The Carandotta Drover, and his family who walked the legendary Carandotta horses over 200 kilometres from Carandotta Station through to Kalkadoon Park for the annual Mount Isa Rotary Rodeo in 1959.

The family did this for over 20 years, and became revered for their horsemanship, and the bloodline of these horses, because of George’s care, are still viewed as the best rodeo stock in the country.

Dallas Murphy competed in the 8-10 year age group on the mini bulls Credit: Stephen Mowbray

The Church family is legendary in New Zealand, the multi-generational Māori rodeo family is the reigning national champions and celebrating these pioneers of indigenous rodeo heritage across the Tasman.

Proving themselves victorious, team Māori touch home the silverware, but captain of the team Merv Church says the rodeo is a special one for both families.

"We're doing a challenge, but we're brothers at the end of the day," said the 29 year old cowboy.

In a special moment on the night, the New Zealand team performed a powerful Haka in the red dirt arena, paying respect to the riders and Kalkadoon Country.

Māori Cowboys performing the Haka Credit: Supplied

The night was rounded out with the Mount Isa Rodeo Rock concert, with headliner Christine Anu.