IN MORE THAN two and a half decades of running the Central Rodeo Cowboys Association (CRCA), president Tony Ward has never seen anything like the weekend's Proserpine Lions Rodeo for Suicide Prevention.

"Mate, we're over the moon," he said.

"It was the biggest crowd in the history of the CRCA over two nights of final rodeos. It's absolutely astounding."

Between 3200-3500 people turned out to the rodeo over the weekend, with roughly 2000 people cramming into their seats for the finals on Saturday night.

Proserpine cowboy Owen Lee then proceeded to sweeten the deal for the crowd, winning the open bareback title with rides of 78 and 74, and going on to take out the CRCA open bareback rider of the year award.

It was Lee's first time riding competitively in the Whitsundays.

"It was pretty unreal to stand on the chutes looking up in the crowd, seeing all those familiar faces," he said.

Mr Ward also praised Lee's hard work and dedication, having started out as a rookie just three short years ago.

"We had some of the rankest horses we've seen at the finals in the last 10 years or more," he said

"It's normally the bulls that everyone raves about... but they were screaming at the horses.

"They really brought the crowd alive."

Mr Ward said the support of fans and sponsors, and the help the CRCA received from Proserpine Lions, Proserpine Rodeo Association, Whitsunday Bald Eagles and everyone else involved, had made the rodeo weekend one to remember.

A Mile in Their Shoes president Jack Lumby said he had three goals for the weekend - to raise money for suicide prevention, bring the community together and make it an affordable event for families.

"We achieved all three," he said.

He thanked everyone involved for their support in making the rodeo a success.

When asked whether the CRCA would host its finals in the Whitsundays next year, Mr Ward said it was entirely up to the committees running the event.

"But we'd be back there at the drop of a hat," he added.