Rodeo Returns to Newman: 'Royalty' and Riders Flock to Revitalised Event

Rodeo royalty Ariana Rhodes is among the dozens of competitors who travelled from far and wide to compete in Newman's revitalised rodeo. Eleven-year-old Ariana and her eight-year-old cousin Svetalina Stones trotted their horses around the red dirt arena that reflects the Pilbara town's mining roots.

The pair appeared at home despite it being somewhat different to where they normally ride in Lake Clifton, south of Perth, 1,200 kilometres away. Newman, deep in the heartland of iron ore country, has not had a rodeo since 2019.

Royalty at the red dirt rodeo

Crowned Rodeo Mini Princess last year, this is Ariana's first Newman Rodeo. Rodeo Mini Princess Ariana Rhodes travelled more than 1,000 kilometres for the event. "I'm competing in barrel racing and pole bending," she said. "My favourite's barrel racing."

Svetalina hopes to follow in her older cousin's footsteps and did not hesitate when asked about her favourite event. "Barrel racing," she said with conviction. Newman was the furthest she had travelled for rodeo. Svetalina competed in pole bending and barrel racing.

The royal family lived up to their title, taking out medals for their events. Ariana placed first in her class for barrel racing and pole bending, while Svetalina placed third in barrel racing and second in pole bending.

Talk of the town

Locals warmly welcomed the rodeo's return. Shire of East Pilbara president Anthony Middleton said Newman had been quietly buzzing in the lead-up to the event. "There's a fair bit of talk; it hasn't happened since before COVID," he said. "I didn't realise how important it was to the community … it's exciting to see."

Newman Campdraft and Rodeo Association president Cameron Wilson said it was special to bring rodeo back to Newman. "It's going to be great for the town, great for the people, and just great to see it back in Newman," he said.

Cameron Hall, president of the Newman Campdraft and Rodeo Association, says he hopes the event will become a mainstay of the town. "I just think it's a great exercise for the town to show what we can produce; obviously, being such a small mining town, we don't have a lot of major events," he said. "If we can establish this and keep it a recurring thing, I think it's only going to get bigger and better year on year."

Bringing rodeo back to the Pilbara

Launching Roebourne Rodeo last year, Karlayura Rodeo co-founder Tui Magner said it made sense for Karlayura to bring rodeo back to Newman. "Myself, Brian Tucker and Georgina Bobby have really big dreams to activate rodeos more in the Pilbara," Ms Magner said. "Doing Roebourne Rodeo in the west Pilbara, now coming over to the east has sort of been a perfect next step to build on that success."

"Newman itself has quite a long history in rodeo … we're just really trying to build on that success."

Competitors from as far north as the Kimberley region and as far away as the South West travelled for the full-points event. Fellow Karlayura co-founder Georgina Bobby said Newman held a special place in the Karlayura team's heart. "This place is in Nyiyiparli country, which is Brian Tucker's mother's homeland," she said. "I think he wanted to bring it back here for his people."

Ms Bobby highlighted the relationship between Aboriginal stockmen and modern-day rodeo. "Back in the day, the elders, old people then, they pretty much worked on stations," she said. "It'll be good for them to see something that's come back with this rodeo, recognising those people."