Sport
23 August, 2026
Local Success at 67th Mount Isa Mines Rodeo
The red dirt flew and records were smashed at the Mount Isa Mines Rodeo, both in the arena and through the gates, as a record crowd converged on Buchanan Park from August 7 to 9 for the biggest and most celebrated rodeo in the Southern Hemisphere.
The 67th Mount Isa Mines Rodeo, presented by Akubra, drew one of the largest and most geographically diverse fields in Australian rodeo, with almost 800 competitors contesting the richest prize purse in the event’s 67-year history.
This year’s field reflected 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. The debut of the inaugural Ladies Bronc Series further cemented Mount Isa’s reputation as Australia’s greatest celebration of rodeo.
An 18-year-old bull rider from Armidale made his dream debut at the legendary event, with Brodie Meredith claiming the Open Bull Ride title at his first-ever Isa Rodeo. Meredith entered the final in contention before producing an 84.5-point ride when it mattered most, taking his aggregate to 171 and claiming the coveted buckle.
It was an all-NSW podium in rodeo’s most dangerous event, with Yarrawa’s Luke Parkinson finishing second on 167.5 and Tamworth’s Clint Glass third on 166.5.
But the champions came from right across Australia, including our own region, with Maidenhead’s Beaudie Neneadic winning the Junior Steer Ride and placing third in the Junior Bull Ride.
The Junior Bull Ride was taken out by Tamworth’s Liam Birks on 162, followed by Queenslanders Rex Walker from Miriam Vale on 155 and our very own Beaudie Neneadic on 142.
In the Junior Steer Ride, Beaudie’s score of 74.5 secured him the win ahead of Bronzon Mara-Skeltlern on 71 and Wyatt Gill of Upper Horton, NSW, on 69.
For Beaudie and the wider local rodeo community, the results are a fantastic achievement and a reminder that some of Australia’s best young rodeo talent is right here in our own backyard.
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