By: Kyle Jones
AUSTIN, TEXAS- World Champions Rodeo Alliance (WCRA) and the legendary Mount Isa Mines Rodeo of Australia today announced the eight athletes who will have the opportunity to compete at the Mount Isa Mines Rodeo August 8-11.
The USA roster is headlined by WCRA Titletown Stampede Champions, Stockton Graves (steer wrestling) and Shelby Boisjoli (breakaway roping), along with two-time WCRA $1,000,000 major champion Joe Mattern (team roping heeler).
The WCRA major champs will be joined by team roping header Bobby Mote and barrel racer Kate Mote of Texas, as well as seven time NFR qualifier bareback rider Jessy Davis and Canadian Cowboys Association Saddle Bronc champion (2014) Rhett Fitzpatrick.
“Our involvement with International Rodeo continues to evolve,” said WCRA Vice President Scott Davis. “Historically, we’ve helped athletes in Australia qualify for large payouts at our events in the United States, now through an expanded relationship with Mount Isa, we’re sending Americans over to experience the largest Rodeo in Australia. It’s a special time for rodeo, it’s a special time for WCRA and I am excited to see how the American Cowboys match up against Australia’s best.”
Since 1959, the rodeo has been a non-profit event that has grown to the largest in the Southern Hemisphere, offering a packed four-day program of rodeo events and non-stop entertainment. The Mount Isa Mines Rodeo is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland and promoted as part of the It’s Live! in Queensland event calendar.
Mount Isa Mines Rodeo Chief Executive Officer Natalie Flecker said the rodeo’s long time naming rights sponsor, Mount Isa Mines was again sponsoring the North American team who would compete in an International Challenge at the Isa Rodeo.
“We are very excited to welcome the American competitors to the biggest rodeo in the Southern Hemisphere and to Outback Queensland, and for them to compete in our world-class arena,” said Ms. Flecker. “We are grateful for the valuable support of Mount Isa Mines and the WCRA which enables us to offer the spectacle of international competition to our rodeo fans from all over Australia and overseas.”
Since launching in May 2018, the WCRA and its partners have awarded more than $5,578,000 in new money to rodeo athletes.
