RIDERS from four states have won pro tour titles in the Australian Professional Rodeo Association.
Yass (NSW) rider Clay Bush finished the 2017-2018 pro tour with the most prize money in all around cowboy standings.
He narrowly won from Emerald pair Shane Kenny and Campbell Hodson.
Bush backed up to win the rope and tie, and team roping heeler pro tour titles and was sixth in steer wrestling.
He will be the favourite to win the all around at the Warwick Rodeo APRA National Finals in October, especially as prize money won on the pro tour will give him a start over the other 14 competitors.
While a rider who finishes in 15th place in the pro tour standings can still win a title, the carryover points from the pro tour give the standings leaders the best chances of victory.
In steer wrestling, Charters Towers cowboy Ryley Gibb is on top of the standings from Kenny but is in a national finals field one could dub the who’s who of APRA timed events. Bush and Heath Nichols from NSW, Victorian riders Lee Kimber and Terry Evison and reigning APRA all around champion Campbell Hodson are all strong chances in steer wrestling.
One rider to watch is Charters Towers star Jace Land who moved up to third in the standings late in the season.
The top 15 header and heeler standings leaders in team roping will get the chance to form their own team for the finals.
After placing in round 1 last year at the national finals, Jeff Miller and son Kobe could be two to watch this year. Jeff is fifth in team roping header standings and Kobe fourth in heeler standings.
Pro tour titles in rough stock events were won by Cameron Webster (Wandoan) in saddle bronc, Jason O’Hearn (Rothbury, NSW) in the bull ride and Ben Hall (Tumbarumba, NSW) in the bareback bronc ride.
Lockington (Vic) rider Cherie O’Donoghue moved from fifth to first late in the season to win the all around cowgirl pro tour title. She led at the end of the season from Moree (NSW) rider Wendy Caban and Leongatha (Vic) star Elley Hulls.
Lewiston (SA) cowgirl Candy Michaelis has won the pro tour in barrel racing. Michaelis holds the current APRA record for fastest time in breakaway roping but it is in barrel racing where she will be going for the title on October 24-27 at the Warwick Rodeo.
O’Donoghue heads the breakaway roping standings from Queensland riders Jorja Iker and Jane Willoughby.
The four rounds of the Warwick Rodeo APRA National Finals will be at the Warwick Showgrounds on four successive nights, October 24-27.
The final day of the rodeo on October 28 will include finals in second-division and junior events at the Warwick Rodeo.
Pro Tour open winners
All Around cowboy – Clay Bush (Yass, NSW)
All around cowgirl – Cherie O’Donoghue (Lockington, Vic)
Saddle bronc – Cameron Webster (Wandoan, Qld)
Bull ride – Jason O’Hearn (Rothbury, NSW)
Bareback bronc – Ben Hall (Tumbarumba, NSW)
Rope and tie – Clay Bush (Yass, NSW)
Steer wrestling – Ryley Gibb (Charters Towers, Qld)
Team roping header – Shane Kenny (Emerald, Qld)
Team roping heeler – Clay Bush (Yass, NSW)
Barrel race – Candy Michaelis (Lewiston, SA)
Breakaway roping – Cherie O’Donoghue (Lockington, Vic)
