GOWRIE PARK RODEO TASMANIA

KAREN Fish jnr is one of five cowgirls competing in three events at the Gowrie Park Rodeo on Saturday (March 8).

The rodeo is the last in Tasmania for the 2014 season which ends on April 30.

Fish, of Oatlands, has been one of the best performers in recent years in the Australian Professional Rodeo Association.

She is currently 19th in all around cowgirl standings and 20th in breakaway roping.

With the top 15 in each event qualifying for the National Finals Rodeo, Fish needs to win the breakaway roping this weekend and then some prize money on the mainland to qualify.

She will be joined by Raquel Clark, Ashleigh Good, Laura Johnson and Durene West as the cowgirls competing in the barrel race, breakaway roping and team roping at Gowrie Park.

More and more cowgirls are competing in team roping with and against the men.

Bradley Franklin, of Bracknell, is one of nine riders going for championship points in the bull ride.

Late last year, he won the bull ride and bareback bronc ride double at the Deep South Rodeo at Margate.

He is currently 10th in APRA standings in the bareback bronc ride and a strong chance to qualify for the APRA finals.

Penguin cowboy Dylan Clark is 20th on the APRA standings in saddle bronc and favourite to win at Gowrie Park.

Stock for the Gowrie Park Rodeo are being provided by contractors Luke Hamilton, Brian Fish and Mick Wyllie.

The top 15 in each APRA event at the end of April will compete in the National Finals Rodeo at the Queensland State Equestrian Centre at Caboolture on May 1-4.

Tickets for the NFR can be purchased by going on the website www.qsec.com.au or by phoning 0754333222.

More information from APRA on 07 46618183