YASS cowboy Clay Bush leads Shane Kenny from Emerald in Queensland in a close battle for the all-around cowboy standings lead in the Australian Professional Rodeo Association.
The lead could easily change as competitors are approaching one of the busiest period in the APRA season with rodeos at Millmerran (Qld), Sale (Victoria) and Clare (South Australia) on Saturday. (March 3)
After this weekend, many riders will head to Victoria for three rodeo on March 9-11 to coincide with the long weekend in Victoria.
There are then five more rodeos in the lead up to Easter when competitors will have 10 rodeos over four days in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria to choose from to boost their position in the standings.
Wandoan (Qld) rider Cameron Webster is leading the APRA standings in saddle bronc but will face tough opposition at the Millmerran Show Rodeo on Saturday from 2016 APRA champion John McNamee who will be competing in his hometown rodeo.
Webster leads the APRA saddle bronc standings from Rosewood (NSW) rider Tim Hammond.
Kenny will be favourite in the timed events for cowboys at Millmerran.
Bush has $400 more prize money then Kenny who could move to the lead in the all-around cowboy standings if he performs well at Millmerran. There are 174 nominations in rough stock and timed events at Millmerran.
Lockington (Victoria) timed event star Lee Kimber is on top of the standings in steer wrestling and will be tough to beat at all Victorian rodeo in the next month.
Past title winner Terry Evison is favourite for the timed events at Sale on Saturday in the Gippsland region of Victoria.
There are 94 nominations in the eight championship events at Sale.
There will be strong support for Saturday’s rodeo at Clare in South Australia with 36 riders in the barrel race, one of eight championship events being contested.
Reigning Miss Rodeo Australia Dakota Michaelis is in the barrel race and breakaway roping.
South Australian rider Tom Willoughby from Allendale North is one of the form riders in South Australia.
Late last month, he won the rope and tie and was second in the bull ride and bareback at the Wilmington Rodeo in South Australia.
There will be strong support from South Australian competitors for this Saturday’s rodeo as it is the last in South Australia booked in for the current season that ends on September 30.
After the 10 rodeos at Easter, the majority of rodeos for the rest of the season to September 30 will be in Queensland.
- More information or requests for photos to APRA on 07 4661 8183.
Rodeo program
- Millmerran Rodeo (QLD), Millmerran Showgrounds, March 3, start 1pm Timed Events and 6:30pm Rough stock
- Sale Rodeo (VIC), Sale Greyhound Complex, March 3, starting 6pm
- Clare Rodeo (SA), Clare Showgrounds, March 3, Starting 5:30pm
- Tickets on sale at the gate for all rodeos.