Mount Isa City Council has pulled some of its funding from the annual Mount Isa Mines Rodeo after it was announced the rodeo would go online.
The council will now sponsor the biggest rodeo in the Southern Hemisphere to the amount of $2,500.
Mayor Danielle Slade declined to comment on monetary value as in the past she believes it was mostly in kind support.
"It was an extremely tough decision, but we just felt it was responsible given how much the rest of our community is hurting," she said.
"We felt the funds that were going to be spent on the rodeo could be better used to support other areas of the community."
Rodeo goes online
Earlier this week, the rodeo's chief executive, Natalie Flecker, announced it would go online from August 7 to 9, with competitors able to submit videos of their best rides from the past two years for judging.
The videos would then be built into a live-stream broadcast for free public viewing.
The rodeo has multiple major sponsors, including the Queensland Government.
Before the council pulled its support, Ms Flecker said having support from sponsors in 2020 was "absolutely incredible" considering COVID-19 impacts.
"We hope it captures the imagination of our cowboys and cowgirls, who are fiercely competitive and passionate about their sport," she said.
"As a free virtual event, it will also hopefully reach thousands [of fans who usually cannot come to the rodeo] ... who will see what the fuss is about."
