Rodeo mums. There’s something special about them, and we are thankful they continue to ignore the warnings of that famous song!
This year ROAD TO RODEO Mount Isa is on Saturday May 11 – the day before Mother’s Day – and organisers are keen to shine the light on rodeo mums, starting with Cloncurry’s Kylee Ferguson, a famed rider and mum of three successful rodeo riders in Cade, Kolt and Brandee.
At Road to Rodeo last year, it was 17 year old Cade who was the busiest cowboy of the day. He rode in five events and took the title for two – Junior Steer and Junior Barrel - and his rides in the 2nd Division Bull, the Saddle Bronc and the Open Team Roping, cemented him as a leading cowboy of the future, not that there was ever much doubt about this third-generation rodeo rider.
He’s competed in America 10 times since he was nine years old, winning the Mini Bull Ride that first year and taking a slew of Buckles there since. Yeah, he’s a cowboy alright!
Kylee and Cade Ferguson will both be competing again at Road to Rodeo Mount Isa in May to defend their titles!
However, the mother-son rodeo super duo can no longer share a mantlepiece, given their haul of buckles. Kylee is a five-time Australian APRA junior title holder, was former Miss Rodeo Australia, is the reigning Road to Rodeo Open Barrel Race winner and also leads Australia’s Youth Rodeo Organisation (YRO). She was just 12 when she first fell in love with rodeo from watching her cowboy father Cliff McIntyre in action.
“One of my most memorable wins was the Open Barrel Race at the Mount Isa Rodeo in 1986 while still a junior. Doing that lap of honour with the blue ribbon is one of the biggest rodeo honours. There were no Buckles for the girls in those days, now there are, and I still have that ribbon.”
When asked what’s it like being the mum of one of Australia’s most talented young cowboys, Kylee said it was busy! “This is his last year as a junior with the Australian Professional Rodeo Association and he has set himself a few big goals. As long as he pulls his weight at home, keeps his schoolwork up to date when he is away and helps contribute when he can, we do our best to help him achieve them.”
Cade said he couldn’t thank his mum enough for taking him from rodeo to rodeo, organising itineraries and supporting his passion to ride.
Reflecting on Mother’s Day, Cade said the worst gift he ever gave his mum was a card he made at school – “I’m not much of a drawer to be honest, I’d rather be on a horse!” said Cade. “This year we will all be together competing at Road to Rodeo Mount Isa, and being together as a family makes mum super happy, and when she’s happy, we all are!”
Kylee said Cade’s heart had always been in rodeo. “I think it’s just something that once it’s in your blood - it’s hard to shake off. I also think the friendships that they make in rodeo last forever, and he has friends all over the world just from being involved in the sport he loves. I love that we all get to compete together and have the same interests, and that our teenage kids still like hanging with their parents. I didn’t realise how special that was until somebody pointed it out recently,” she said.
Road to Rodeo Mount Isa 2024 – Saturday May 11
Dust off the boots and grab a hat because ROAD TO RODEO Mount Isa is back, and it’s bringing a little of the buckle bling, broncs, bulls and big rides of the famed Mount Isa Mines Rodeo with it – for just one day, as an important community and regional event in the lead up to the big one in August! Road to Rodeo Mount Isa 2024 will take over the famous Buchanan Park Events Complex on Saturday May 11 with action all afternoon and into the night, plus a Rodeo Rock concert headlined by the nationally acclaimed chart topper and multiple Golden Guitar winner Jetty Road and ARIA charting Route 33 with rising country star Brooke Schbert, along with local band Pacific Groove.
Gates open from 12noon with kids rides and activities, community food trucks and market stalls, there’s also a special gift on arrival for all the mums (given the next day is Mother’s Day!). Local band Pacific Groove kicks off the action at 12.30pm and rodeo starts in the famous red dirt arena from 2pm through to 9pm when the Rodeo Rock Concert takes over into the night. At 6pm the Official Opening and Grand Entry will be held, always a huge highlight at Buchanan Park, and highlights of the 2024 Mount Isa Rodeo Festival will be shared.
Road to Rodeo Mount Isa 2024 – Saturday May 11
Ticket Prices:
Adults $30 + booking fee, 17 years and under FREE – tickets here
Gold Coin donation on entry to go to Mount Isa & North West Qld Breast Cancer Support Group
All information here
For media interviews, imagery and more, please contact Kath Rose on kath@kathrose.com or 0416 291 493
Key Facts:
Road to Rodeo Mount Isa 2024 – Saturday May 11
Ticket Prices:
Adults $30 + booking fee, 17 years and under FREE – tickets here
Gold Coin donation on entry to go to Mount Isa & North West Qld Breast Cancer Support Group
All information here
Contact details:
Kath Rose on kath@kathrose.com or 0416 291 493