CENTRAL Queensland cowgirls Leanne Caban and Jorja Iker will be two to watch at the Comet Benefit Rodeo on May 27.
The rodeo will be the second in Central and North Queensland this month after a successful rodeo at Nebo which attracted some of the highest entries so far this year in the Australian Professional Rodeo Association.
Caban hails from Emerald and leads the APRA standings in Breakaway Roping. She won the Barrel Race at the Gargett Rodeo in North Queensland last month and is third in All Around Cowgirl standings behind leader Shianne O’Donoghue-Kent and current runner up Cherie O’Donoghue who both hail from Victoria.
Iker, of Alton Downs, is fifth in the Breakaway Roping standings. O’Donoghue-Kent is the reigning APRA All Around Champion while O’Donoghue is a prolific title winner. New South Wales rider Jo Caldwell is second in the Barrel Racing standings behind leader O’Donoghue-Kent and fourth in the All Around.
The timed events, with stock from Destiny Downs Cattle Co, start at the Comet Rodeo Grounds on May 27 at 11am.
Tough competition is expected in the rough stock events starting at 6pm on the same day at Comet.
Stock will be contracted by Trevor and Tony Dunne for the three rough stock events. New South Wales rider Brad Pierce made the trip north to Nebo earlier this month and will be one of the riders to beat if he competes in Saddle Bronc at Comet.
Pierce has taken the lead in Saddle Bronc standings with Queensland trio Clayton Braden, John McNamee and Michael Maher close behind. Braden was placed at the Gargett Rodeo in North Queensland last month.
Beaudesert rider Jared Borghero leads the Bull Ride standings after a win last year at the Mt Isa Rodeo.Wandoan rider Dave Worsfold will be one to beat in the Bareback Bronc ride at Comet as he aims to make up ground on standings leader Ben Hall from Victoria.The Comet Benefit Rodeo on May 27 is for APRA championship points so is expected to attract more than 200 nominations.
