Māori cowboys and cowgirls set to compete at Mount Isa's Indigenous Rodeo Championships

Rhiannon Clarke Published July 23, 2024 at 10.00am (AWST)

Sport

Mount Isa Indigenous Rodeo Championships will unite riders and artists in cultural celebration next month. (Image: supplied)

Nine talented cowboys and cowgirls from New Zealand are set to demonstrate their skills at the Indigenous Rodeo Championships in Mount Isa next month.

The group are embarking on the journey to the regional Queensland city to participate in the first ever Ah One x Church Family Trans-Tasman Indigenous Rodeo Challenge, held as part of the annual Mount Isa Mines Indigenous Rodeo Championships.

Many of the participants for the New Zealand team have ties to the legendary Church family who are multi-generational Māori rodeo competitors, including former and reigning national champions.

Captain Mervyn Church Jr. (Image: supplied)

Captained by Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Pikiao and Ngāti Tūwharetoa man and grandson of the godfather of New Zealand Rodeo, Mervyn Church is Mervyn Church Jr, who will participate in the rope and tie event.

Alongside him are Nḡati Maniapoto man and bareback performer Brett McCorkindal, Ngāti Tūwharetoa man and saddle bronc Callum Tahau and Tūwharetoa man and bull rider Leeroy Church.

Female representatives in the team include Tūwharetoa, Turangitukua woman and barrel racer Jayde Asher, Ngāti Tūwharetoa woman and breakaway roper Lani Jackson, Ngāi Tūhoe woman and steer wrestler Hammi Boynton, and Ngāti Kahungunu, Wairoa and Ngāti Porouraua Tuhoe sisters and team ropers, Ariana Halley and Kiwa Halley.

Barrel racer Jayde Asher. (Image: supplied)

In recent years the Mount Isa Mines Indigenous Rodeo Championships has evolved into a highly acclaimed event that brings together riders, artists, and rodeo enthusiasts.

The inaugural Trans-Tasman Rodeo Challenge will honour two of the most prominent Indigenous rodeo families from each side of the ditch.

This rodeo event, known as the Bledisloe Buck of Rodeo, is a tribute to George Ah One, Famously known as the Carandotta Drover and his family as they're closely associated with rodeo in Australia's outback.

He led his family in walking the iconic Carnadotta horses more than 200 kilometres from Carandotta Station to Kalkadoon Park for the inaugural Mount Isa Rotary Rodeo in 1959.

The family continued this tradition for more than two decades, gaining a reputation for their exceptional horsemanship. Thanks to his meticulous care, the bloodline of these horses is still considered the finest rodeo stock in the country.

The Ah One x Church Family Trans-Tasman Indigenous Rodeo Challenge will mark a historical moment for the event as both families are revered in the competitive equestrian sport.

Mount Isa's Kalkadoon Arena at the Buchanan Park Events Complex will host the inaugural Trans-Tasman Rodeo Challenge next month. (Image: supplied)

The Australian Indigenous Team will consist of the champions from the Championships scheduled for Thursday, August 8. The Challenge is set to be the final event of the evening.

This event aims to honour the trailblazers of Indigenous rodeo culture from both nations.

The Mount Isa Indigenous Rodeo Championships will be held on Thursday 8 August as part of the Mount Isa Rodeo Festival, which is being held from August 3-11.