SOME New South Wales riders are set to compete in up to five states during the Christmas Run of rodeos in the Australian Professional Rodeo Association.

There are rodeos in New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia during the Christmas Run which starts on December 26 at Myrtleford in Victoria.

Two of the rodeos are in New South Wales, Tumbarumba’s 71^st rodeo on New Year’s Day and Finley on January 8. Both are for APRA championship points.

Scone steer wrestler Heath Nichols is one of the top performing New South Wales riders in the new season and will have the chance to compete in the Christmas Run as well as two rodeos in Queensland at Alton Downs on December 31-January 1.

Nichols is currently second in APRA steer wrestling standings behind leader and current champion Shane Kenny from Emerald.

Some riders will be competing in both the Christmas Run down south and the Alton Downs Double Dip in Queensland.

Air travel is often the only way for competitors to compete in different rodeo in different states on successive day.

If Nichols does compete at Alton Downs in Queensland, he will be part of a top field, including Hughenden rider Clancy Middleton.

Middleton is originally from Hughenden in North Queensland but spent some time in Emerald where he perfected his skill in all three timed events in rodeo, rope and tie, steer wrestling and team roping.

In the past two years, Clancy and wife Tenielle, have moved back to the family property at Hughenden but their motto still is – have horse, have truck, will travel.

Clancy is fourth in all around standings in the APRA, first in team roping header, third in steer wrestling and seventh in the rope and tie. He won’t get it all his own way at Alton Downs as the leading three in all around standings, Shane Iker (Alton Downs), defending champion Shane Kenny (Emerald) and Errol Frain (Yeppoon) are all from Central Queensland and likely to nominate at Alton Downs. Nichols is fifth in the all around standings.

The Alton Downs Double Dip will be the first full rodeo at the new rodeo complex at Lazy Acres.

Iker has described the venue as an outstanding facility with a hill for part of the seating and a long bar overlooking the facility.

APRA Program: December 5 – Rosewood (NSW); December 26 – Myrtleford (Vic) Golden Spurs Rodeo; December 27 – Carrieton (SA); December 31-January 1 – Alton Downs (Qld) Double Dip; January 1 ­– Tumbarumba (NSW) 71^st Rodeo; January 2 – Yarrawonga (Vic); January 8 – Finley (NSW); January 9 – Beechworth (Vic), Carrick (Tas) Bull Ride and Rodeo Spectacular.

More information APRA 07 4661 8183