BRENTON Bell hopes to be the second sibling in his family to win a title in the Australian Professional Rodeo Association.

The Gracemere cowboy is currently fourth in team roping heeler standings after the first half of the season.

Most of his success this year has been in combination with Alton Downs rider Jordan Austin-Iker, the header in the combination.

Brenton started the season with a win at the Bowen River rider in combination with Austin-Iker and a third at the same rodeo with Emerald rider Shane Kenny.

In the past two years, Brenton has qualified for two APRA National Finals Rodeos.

He recorded a fourth in a round in the 2013 NFR at the Gold Coast in combination with former Richmond (Qld) and now NSW rider Casey Lillyman. They were fourth in the aggregate at Mt Isa in the same year.

This year, he paired with Victorian star Gavin Walker in the first National Finals Rodeo to be held at Caboolture.

He prefers the rodeos close to his home base and lists Nebo and Emerald as his favourites.

Brenton said team roping was all about having a good horse, good partner and getting the reaction time at the start right.

“I am currently working a young horse,” he said.

“I have been a header and heeler but prefer heeling. I have done a bit of steer wrestling.”

He followed his father Colin Bell into rodeo and is one of three family members to compete.

Oldest brother Cameron has won steer wrestling titles in the APRA and the middle of the three brothers, Nathan, has competed but is not currently on the circuit.

Away from rodeo, Brenton drives excavators in the family business  in Central Queensland.

The next rodeo in Queensland is at Bundaberg on November 28 and Brenton is a possible starter.

He has competed on the Christmas Run in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia on one occasion and is unlikely to head south for the first rodeo this year on Boxing Day at Myrtleford.

With a fourth placing in the standings, Brenton is likely to qualify for next year’s National Finals Rodeo but with riders taking points from their pro tour money earnings into the finals, he is keen to win some more prize money in the months ahead.

APRA Program: November 28 Bundaberg (Qld); December 6 Rosewood (NSW); December 20 Grong Grong (NSW); December 26 Myrtleford (Vic); December 27 Carrieton (SA); December 30 Yarrawonga (Vic); January Tumbarumba (NSW), January 2 Finley (NSW); January 3 Beechworth (Vic) and Deniliquin  (NSW).

More information APRA office 07 4661 8183