Teal Ayers a favourite for Emerald

Ayers was a Junior Title winner last year and goes into the July 7-8 Junior National Finals Series as the leader in the Junior High Point Cowgirl standings. She is third in Junior Barrel Racing standings, fifth in Junior Breakaway Roping and sixth in Junior Team Roping Header standings.

In open ranks, she is 8th in the All Around Cowgirl and Breakaway Roping standings and 18th in the Barrel Race.

As only the top-15 riders will qualify for The Warwick Rodeo National Finals on October 26-29, Ayers will be aiming to win some prize money in the Barrel Race on July 8 at Emerald to boost her chances of qualification.

She will compete in round 1 of the Junior Finals on July 7 at 7pm at Emerald and then rounds 2 and 3 at 5pm and 7pm on July 8 during a rodeo performance which will include all of the open events at the Emerald Rodeo.

The first function for the juniors at Emerald will be on July 6 at 5.30pm at the Emerald Rodeo Grounds for the Junior Finals Back Number Presentations and Sponsors Meet and Greet.

All stock for the Junior Finals have been contracted by Shane and Leanne Kenny from Destiny Downs Cattle Company at Emerald.

Emerald is the first open rodeo on the Northern Run in the APRA with Shane Kenny leading the All Around Cowboy standings.

The rodeo action will continue  on July 22 at Taroom and then to Richmond, Hughenden and Cloncurry before the climax of the Northern Run at Mt Isa on August 11-13.

Large nominations are expected for all rodeos as riders have less than three months to strive for a top-15 finish and National Finals qualification.

July 7-8: Emerald Junior National Finals Series

July 8: Emerald Rodeo

July 22: Taroom Rodeo

July 29: Richmond Rodeo

July 30: Flinders River Hughenden Timed Events Rodeo

August 3: Cloncurry Merry Muster Xtreme Bulls Rodeo

August 4-6: Cloncurry Merry Muster Rodeo

August 11-13: Mt Isa Mines Rotary Rodeo