YEPPOON COWBOY IS 1 OF 2 AT THE TOP

Photo of Errol Frain by Dave Ethell – www.dephotos.com.au

Photo of Cheynne Whitwell by Dave Ethell – www.dephotos.com.au

YEPPOON cowboy Errol Frain is one of two Queenslanders at the top of Australian Professional Rodeo Association standings nearing the end of the current season.

Frain was the all around leader early this year but with most of the early year action in the southern states, he has been overtaken by Victorian pair Terry Evison and Lee Kimber.

But when it comes to steer wrestling, the rider from Yeppoon is well in front.

Frain has won twice as much prize money in steer wrestling than the second and third placed Evison and Kimber and will go into The Warwick Rodeo National Finals on October 27-30 with the inside running for the title.

Prize money won during the season to April 30 will be converted into carryover points which each rider will take into the finals.

Frain will therefore be the favourite but the finals format is designed that even the final qualifier for the finals, the 15^th placed rider, can win the title buckle with outstanding performances in the four rounds at the Warwick Showgrounds in October.

Rounds of all eight championship events will be held at The Warwick Rodeo National Finals on the Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights and then the final round will be on the Sunday afternoon.

There are four Queenslanders in the top six in all around cowboy standings, Frain in third, Shane Kenny (Emerald) fourth, Shane Iker (Alton Downs) fifth and Clancy Middleton (Hughenden, Qld) sixth.

Millmerran (Qld) rider John McNamee heads the saddle bronc standings after a strong season in all states.

In cowgirl standings, Mt Tarampa rider Cheyenne Whitwell is the highest-placed Queenslander in fifth place for the All Around behind leaders Stephanie Gard (Table Top, NSW) and Cherie O’Donoghue (Lockington, Vic). Whitwell is 7^th placed in the barrel race and 11^th in breakaway roping.

The final rodeo in Queensland for the season will be the Warwick Heritage Week Concreters Bull Ride at the Australian Rodeo Heritage Centre on April 15.

The new APRA season starts on May 1 and Queensland riders have three chances in May to secure early points in the new standings list, the St George Show Rodeo on May 1, the Nebo Rodeo on May 7 and the Bundaberg Show Rodeo on May 27. 

STANDINGS LEADERS: All around Terry Evison (Lockington, Vic); saddle bronc John McNamee (Millmerran, Qld); bull ride Rod Thorp (Young, NSW); bareback Ben Hall (Tumbarumba, NSW); rope and tie Lee Kimber (Lockington, Vic); steer wrestling Errol Frain (Yeppoon, Qld); team roping header Terry Evison (Lockington, Vic), team roping header Aaron Bookluck (Nilma North, Vic), all around cowgirl Stephanie Gard (Lavington, NSW); barrel race Shianne O’Donoghue-Kent (Bunyip, Vic); breakaway roping Elley Hulls (Leongatha, Vic).

APRA PROGRAM: April 15 Warwick Heritage Week Concretors Bull Ride; April 22 Moree Show Rodeo; April 24 Ettamogah Pub Rodeo, Albury; April 29 Narrabri Show Rodeo; May 1 St George (Qld) Show Rodeo; May 7 Nebo Rodeo; May 27 Bundaberg Show Rodeo.

More information 07 4661 8183.