AFTER attracting one of the best crowds in recent years to the 2014 Millmerran Show Rodeo, organiser Henry Wolski is upbeat about the chances of a bumper turnout for this year's rodeo on Saturday. The rodeo is the eighth run by the Australian Professional Rodeo Association and as always, attracts some of the best riders in the nation.
"The rodeo is the biggest event on the Saturday night of the show and we always attract a crowd of 1000 to 1200," Wolski said.
There are 173 nominations for the rodeo, including 17 in saddle bronc.
The favourite in a field of 17 in saddle bronc will be Warwick cowboy and APRA standings leader Michael Maher, who won both the Mt Isa and Warwick rodeos last year.
He will face tough opposition from third-placed Mark Collins, of Warwick.
Many of the hopes for a hometown victory will rest with Millmerran rider John McNamee.
McNamee is in the top 15 in APRA standings after a successful Christmas Run and only needs a place at his hometown rodeo to secure a spot in the national finals at the Warwick Australian Championships Rodeo on October 22-25.
In the current season, McNamee has enjoyed the most success in his APRA career.
There are 29 teams in team roping, 27 cowgirls in breakaway roping and 22 in the barrel race.
Barry Jones and Brian Lovett are the judges and Steve Hilton the chute boss.
Action starts in the main arena with timed events at 1.30pm and then the rough stock events will start in the smaller rodeo arena at 6.30pm.
After an old grandstand was damaged in a storm at Christmas, a new portable grandstand will be used for the first time on Saturday at the rodeo.
Rodeo program
February 28: Sale (Vic); Millmerran Show Rodeo.
March: 6 Kyabram (Vic); 7 Gowrie Park (Tas); 7 Merrijig (Vic); 8 Chiltern (Vic); 14 Clare (SA); 21 Comet (Qld).
