Riders impress at Emerald rodeo

Tasmanian rider Ty King who won the Saddle Bronc ride at the Emerald CQ Body Worx Rodeo.

“HAVE saddle, will travel”, could be the word from Tasmanian rider Ty King who won the Saddle Bronc ride at the Emerald CQ Body Worx Rodeo.

The Emerald Rodeo was held in conjunction with the APRA Junior National Finals.

Most of the 10 junior finalists in each event competed in junior events at Emerald, and some even went in open events.

Warwick rider Kobe Miller backed up from All-Around and Team Roping Heeler Junior title wins to combine with Ty Pokarier to win the open Team Roping.

In a close battle, Miller and Pokarier won with 4.8 seconds from NSW pair Clay Bush and Heath Nichols on 5.15.

Juniors Toby Hale (NSW) and Emerald rider Clay Caban were third with 5.45 and father and son team Shane and Jordan Iker from Central Queensland fourth in a time of 5.7.

Bush was second in the Rope and Tie behind winner Darcy Kesch.

In open Saddle Bronc, King from Penguin, Tasmania, won with 79 points riding the horse Hitler from current standings leader Cameron Webster, of Wandoan, who scored 75 on Volcano. Allan Powell, of Springsure was third with 72 on the horse Tim and Rosewood (NSW) rider Tim Hammond fourth on Pugsley.

Brendan Buckholz stayed on for one of the best rides of the season to score 86 on the bull Red Man Chew to win the bull ride by five points.

In the Bareback David Worsfold was close to record territory when he scored 88.5 points on Mandy’s Boy, a ride certain to be in the top five this year.

In cowgirl events, two riders from Central Queensland were victorious. Leanne Caban from Emerald was first in the Barrel Race and Jorja Iker from Alton Downs won Breakaway Roping.