FOUR bull riders from Queensland will battle it out with cowboys from NSW and Victoria for the Australian Professional Rodeo Association title buckle later this month.
The best 15 competitors in eight events will contest the Warwick Rodeo APRA National Finals on October 26-29 at the Warwick Showgrounds.
While all 15 have the chance to win the title buckle, the top-six in the bull ride have won significantly more prize money than the rest so will be clear favourites for the titles.
A winner in the bull ride at Mt Isa, Stanwell rider Jared Borghero won the pro tour bull ride title from NSW bull rider Ben Thorp from Young.
Cooyar rider Jack McArthur is one of the biggest improvers in the APRA and is ranked third just in front of Jake Whalan from Giru in North Queensland.
Sam Woodall from the Gippsland area in Victoria is ranked fifth going into the national finals just ahead of Sally Malay who is originally from the Kimberleys in Western Australia but now calls Longreach in Queensland home.
Jay Borghero, a brother of Jared, has also placed at Mt Isa, and goes into the national finals ranked 12th while Sam Champ from Meldale just north of Brisbane is the last qualifier for the finals but will have to place in at least three rounds to have any chance to win the title buckle.
Rarely does a bull rider make time on all his bulls in the national finals so placings will largely come down to which riders can record a time in the most rounds at Warwick.
All riders will receive points going into the national finals for prizemoney won during the pro tour which gives the riders near the top of the standings the best chance to win title buckles.
As well as the national finals, there will be second division and junior rodeo event at the Warwick Showgrounds on October 26-29.
Rounds of the Warwick Rodeo APRA National Finals start at 6pm Thursday, October 26, 6pm on Friday, 6pm Saturday and 2pm Sunday.
Tickets on sale at the gate and www.warwickshowandrodeo.com.au
