RODEO action will head to Gargett in the Pioneer Valley west of Mackay on Saturday.
The rodeo is for Championship Points in the Australian Professional Rodeo Association and is expected to attract the best of the best in rough stock events and the Ladies Barrel Race from Queensland. There are currently more than 100 nominations across all events with 16 in the Bull Ride and, 24 in the 2nd Division Bull Ride and 14 for the Barrel Race.
One of the stars of the season so far is Stanwell (Qld) cowboy Jared Borghero who leads the Bull Ride standings and will have tough competition from fellow Queensland competitor Jake Whalan of Giru who is sitting in third position.
In the Saddle Bronc Clayton Braden is likely to be the favourite currently coming fifth in the Standings.
As for the ladies there will be competition between Queensland Barrel Racers, Roma cowgirl Teal Ayers and Leanne Caban from Emerald as they battle it out to boost their points for All Around Cowgirl Standings as Caban currently stands in 4th place and Ayers following closely behind in 6th.
Many of the best rough stock riders in the nation come from Central and North Queensland and they will need to be at their best for the battle against the bucking stock contracted by Darren Brandenburg, a Champion Bull Rider when he was competing.
There were 10 APRA rodeos in the eastern states at Easter so most of the riders heading for Gargett on Saturday will have fined tuned their form at Roma or Emerald at Easter in Queensland or interstate. Gargett is the only APRA rodeo this weekend so the odds are a small number of riders will travel from interstate to compete.
Riders heading to the Gargett Rodeo will be keen to place and gain Championship Points as they aim to finish in the top-15 in their Championship events and qualify for the APRA National Finals at the Warwick Rodeo on the last weekend in October.
Gargett Rodeo is held at the Gargett Rodeo Grounds and action will commence from 4pm.
