Rodeo mums. There’s something special about them and we are thankful they continue to ignore the warnings of that famous Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson song, Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies grow Up To Be Cowboys!
This year Road To Rodeo Mount Isa is on 11 May – 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 second division Bull, the Saddle Bronc and the Open Team Roping, cemented him as a leading cowboy of the future.
He has 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 compete 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,“ Kylee said.
“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 school work 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.“
Road to Rodeo Mount Isa 2024
* Buchanan Park Events Complex Saturday 11 May.
* Gates open from 12pm, 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 starts.
* 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.
Key Facts:
* Ticket Prices: Adults $30 + booking fee, 17 years and under free.
* Gold Coin donation on entry to go to Mount Isa and North West Qld Breast Cancer Support Group.
