All roads lead to the rodeo. Far north Queensland town riding for glory this weekend
Richard Dinnen - Queensland Editor |
The population of Mount Carbine is set to grow more than tenfold this weekend as crowds begin arriving for the annual Bull and Bronc Ride.
The town is on the Mulligan Highway, at the northern end of Mareeba Shire. It’s usually home to about 100 people, but the rodeo draws people from all over far north Queensland and beyond.
Organisers said the event attracts the best of bull and bronc riders from across the region, with competitors coming from Weipa, Chillagoe, the Cape, and Hopevale.
Riders will saddle up in several categories, including open bull ride, novice, junior and mini-bull, open saddle bronc, bushman’s saddle bronc, calf ride and juvenile steer.
There’s a total $10,000 prize money up for grabs, including a new award in memory of one of the Mt Carbine Rodeo Association’s first committee members, Dennis Ross.
The Association is a voluntary, non-profit organisation. It launched the bull and bronc ride in 2000.
Gates open on Saturday morning, with events running into the evening, followed by a live band playing until 2am.
