TWO electricians from Charters Towers are eyeing off another appearance in an Australian Professional Rodeo Association National Finals Rodeo.
Going into the Christmas Run of rodeos in the APRA, Liam Davison, 21, and Jace Land, 19, were both in the top 15 in team roping standings. Davison was on top in Team Roping Heeler standings and Land eighth. Davison was second in this year’s finals in combination with Shane Iker and Land was third in a team with Brenton Bell.
The pair headed west to Mt Isa to compete on New Year’s Eve and combined to win the Team Roping with a time of 5.9 seconds, 2.4 seconds ahead of runners up Rae-Etta Harrison and Darcy Harrison-Douglas. Harrison-Douglas combined with Corhan Remfrey for fourth.
Land was the most successful open cowboy at Mt Isa as he also won the Rope and Tie in 11.5 seconds from runner-up Scott Napier.
There are 37 rodeos in the first four months of the year in the APRA, predominately in the southern states.
The first rodeo for the year in Queensland is the Millmerran Show Rodeo on March 4 and then there are three rodeos at Easter, a Good Friday Bull Ride at Roma, Easter Saturday Rodeo at Roma and the Emerald Easter Sunflower Festival Rodeo on Easter Sunday. Riders will be aiming for placings in all rodeos to secure a top-15 place and qualification for The Warwick Rodeo National Finals in October.
During the Christmas Run of six rodeos in the southern states, Millmerran rider John McNamee won the Saddle Bronc at Tumbarumba and Beechworth.
Cameron’s Corner cowboy Fred Osman won the Bareback at both Myrtleford and Finley.
Mt Isa winners: Saddle Bronc Allan Powell 79 points, Bull Ride Cody Tully70, Bareback Deon Lane 80, Rope and Tie Jace Land 11.5, Steer Wrestling Mark Thompson 6.3, Team Roping Jace Land and Liam Davison 5.9, Barrel Race Nicola Lillyman 18.221, Breakaway Roping Robyn McKellar 3 seconds, Junior Steer Ride Courtney Gray 74, Junior Barrel Race Bridget Rutherfurd 18.896.
