Easter rodeos at Tocumwal

TOCUMWAL in New South Wales will be the venue for one of eight Australian Professional Rodeo Association events on the Easter weekend.

The Easter rodeos are a great chance for riders to boost their positions in APRA standings and secure a top-15 spot and qualification for the Warwick Rodeo Australian Championships on October 22-25 in Queensland. Prize money won during the season will boost each rider’s chances to win a title at the championship finals at Warwick.

There will be some strong competition in the three rough stock event, saddle bronc, bull ride and bareback bronc ride, as well as timed events at Tocumwal.

The closest finish could be in steer wrestling with Matt Hedland (Junee, NSW) and Terry Evison (Trafalgar, Victoria) two of the best in the sport.

The rodeo has also attracted some of the best riders from South Australia, including Daniel Pearson and Kevin Reynolds.

Some of the riders competing at Tocumwal, including Evison, will do a lot of Easter driving as they also compete in many of the Victoria rodeos at Great Western on Good Friday, Omeo on Easter Saturday, Buchan on Sunday and Lang Lang on Monday.

There are three rodeos in Queensland this weekend. Moree rider Wendy Caban will be one of the favourites for the two cowgirls event at Emerald and Roma after winning at Comet in Queensland on March 23.

After Easter, only two rodeos remain in the final three weeks of the APRA season, one at Corryong in Victoria and on Anzac Day at Alstonville in New South Wales.

Comet winners: Saddle bronc Greg Hamilton, bull ride Jason Mara, bareback Jake Marshall, rope and tie Shane Iker, steer wrestling Jamie Reynolds, team roping Grant Hanrahan and Jesse Townsend, barrel race Wendy Caban, breakaway roping Fallon Mulhall.

APRA program

April 3 Great Western Rodeo (Vic); April 3 Roma Bull Ride; April 4 Emerald M Group Easter Sunflower Festival Rodeo; April 4 Omeo; April 5 Buchan (Vic); April 5 Roma (Qld), April 5 Tocumwal (NSW); April 6 Lang Lang (Vic); April 11 Corryong (Vic); April 25 Alstonville (NSW).

More information or requests for photos to APRA head office on 07 4661 8183.