Mt Isa Rodeo champion Michael Maher is in a strong field in the saddle bronc at the New Year’s Eve Rodeo in Mitchell.
Maher won the saddle bronc three times at the richest rodeo in Australia at Mt Isa in 2015-2017.
He hails from Warwick and will aim to boost his position in the Australian Professional Rodeo Association standings early in the new season.
The 2019 season started on October 1 and the top 15 in all eight APRA championship events at September 30 next year will qualify for the national finals.
Maher qualified for the finals in Warwick in October but was unplaced in the aggregate. Some of his toughest opposition in saddle bronc will come from Millmerran rider John McNamee, a past title winner in the APRA.
Wandoan rider Cameron Webster has nominated along with Mitchell cowboy Greg Hamilton who will be keen to win his hometown rodeo. There is a field of 18 in saddle bronc.
In timed events, past all around champion Shane Iker from Alton Downs will be one of the toughest to beat. Warwick rider Jeff Miller has won five national titles in team roping and will be one of the favourites at Mitchell.
The breakaway roping has attracted a strong field of 15. Brigalow and former SA rider Jane Willoughby has been a strong performer on the circuit in recent years and will be one of the favourites in breakaway roping.
Three of her toughest opponents will be Leanne Caban (Emerald), Jorja Iker (Alton Downs) and Shellie Miller (Warwick).
Some Queensland riders will be in the southern states for the Christmas Run which starts at Myrtleford on Boxing Day and includes nine rodeos in four states.
The only other New Year’s Eve Rodeo in the APRA is at Smithton in Tasmania where there is a rodeo on December 30-31. The rodeo at Mitchell is the first in the new season in Queensland.
Rodeo program
December 26: Myrtleford Golden Spurs Rodeo, Vic
December 28: Yarrawonga Rodeo, Vic
December 29: Carrieton Rodeo, SA
December 30-31: Smithton Rodeo and Stockman’s Challenge, Tas
December 31: Mitchell, Qld
January 1: Tumbarumba Rodeo, NSW
January 2: Rich River Timed Events, Vic
January 4 : Finley Rodeo, NSW
January 5: Wangaratta Rodeo, Vic
January 6: K Ranch Rodeo, Mt Hunter, NSW
