APRA | Australian Champions 2014

In a field including the best bull riders in the nation & past world rookie champion Brad Pierce, Sherhard split first in round 1, was second in rounds 2 and 4 and third in round 3. He was the only rider to make time on four bulls in a total of 312 points. There were 60 Bull Rides at Caboolture and only 11 cowboys recorded a score.

Such as the domination of Shephard in the finals, Sonny Schafferius was runner up with a 162 aggregate. Rhys Angland was third on 83.5, the best of the riders who stayed on one bull.

Shephard hails from Atherton (QLD) and has won his first title at age 19 in only his second finals appearance.

Gavin Walker

ARIAT Steer Wrestling Champion

The Benalla (Victoria) Cowboy went into the NFR as favourite after winning the Pro Tour for most money won in the season which finished at the end of April.

Defending champion Cameron Bell took the early lead at Caboolture with a first in round 1 but Walker secured the title with thirds in rounds 2 and 3 and a second in round 4. He made it a double with a win in the aggregate with a time of 20.2 seconds, four seconds ahead of runner up Clay Gordon, or Roma (QLD), who was second with 24.45.

Fine tuning his form before the finals with success on his home circuit in Victoria and a win at Clare (SA) in 4.9.

Stephanie Gard

APRA Breakaway Roping Champion

The cowgirl from Tabletop near Albury (NSW) made it back to back titles with victory in the Breakaway Roping at Caboolture.

She was third behind Queenslande pair Joja Watkins & Cheyenne Whitwell in the battle for the Pro Tour title but places in three rounds at the finals to secure the title. Gard was third in round 1 with 2.4, won round 2 with the same time and then secured the title with a third in round 4 in a time of 2.65.

Nichole Fitzpatrick

Inside Rodeo Barrel Racing Champion

After missing the Pro Tour Barrel Racing title by $200 in prize money to Willung (VIC) rider Leslie Moore, Fitzpatrick made sure she would return to Willow Tree in NSW with the titel buckle with a win in round 1 and seonds in the next three rounds.

Her first round run was outstanding in the infoor arena at the Queensland State Equestrian Centre when she won in a time of 16.672 seconds, almost half a second ahead of the second placegetter.

Nichole Fitzpatrick

All Round Cowgirl

Nichole Fitzpatrick from Willow Tree in NSW qualified for her first National Finals Rodeo in two events to win All Around and Barrel Racing titles.

She won three events at Easter in Victoria to move from fourth to first in the standings to win the All Around Pro Tour Title.

Fitzpatrick placed in each round of the Barrel Race to secure the title and aggregate and secured the all around title at the NFR with a victory in the final round of Breakway Roping with a time of 1.9, the fastest of any of the winners. Riders need placings in two or more events to qualify for the All Around title.

Shane Iker

Trail End Saddles Rope & Tie Champion

After missing a place in round 1, Iker starred at the NFR with a first in round 2 in 9.1 seconds, equal second in round 3 with 9.35 and a win in the final round with a time of 8.5. He recorded three of the top five times at Caboolture to narrowly win from Emerald (QLD) cowboy Shane Kenny who was first in aggregate.

At age 36, Iker was competing in his eighth final of the Rope & Tie after winning titles in 2001 and 2008. Shane hails from Alton Downs near Rockhampton in Queensland.

Shane Iker

All Around Cowboy

The cowboy from Alton Downs in Queensland secured his second All Around title with a win in the Rope & Tie and fourth in Team Roping in combination with Liam Davidson in the fourth and final round at Caboolture.

Iker and Davidson, of Charters Towers (QLD) were second in the Team Roping aggregate after a third and three fourths at the finals.

He first won the All Around title at the National Finals Rodeo at the Gold Coast in 2008, a season he also won the Tope & Tie and Team Roping Heeler titles. Finished sixth in the AllAround standings on the Pro Tour but rose to the occasion when it mattered most at the NFR.

Fred Osman

Spitwater Bareback Bronc Riding Champion

Finished sixth in the APRA standings in the 2014 season but shone like a beacon at the finals with wins in the first three rounds with scores of 80, 82 and 78. He split first with Cody Angland, of Boggabri (NSW) in round 3 with 78 points and then scored 77 in the final round for second.

Osman hails from Tibooburra in the northwest corner of NSW but has also based himself at Gore in QLD and Broken Hill in NSW as he pursues careers as a primary producer, contract musterer and cowboy. Like many cowboys he has competed in North America.

Jesse Townsend & Terry Evison

Outback Supply Co Team Roping Champions

In a sport where state borders mean nothing, Calvert (QLD) rider Jesse Townsend won his first title as a Header in combination with Heeler Terry Evison, of Willung, Victoria.

They missed a place in round 1 before a second in round 2 in 5.3 seconds, third in round 3 in 6.4 and second in round 4 in 4.95 secured the title. Capped a great weekend with a victory in the aggregate with 23.25 seconds.

It was the second title win for Evison who combined with fellow Victorian Aaron Bookluck, of Nilma North, to win the 2006.

Peter Moffatt

APRA Saddle Bronc Riding Champion

Originally from Millmerran in QLD, Moffat was based in the Gippsland area in Victoria for a short period and now lives at Augathalla in southwest Queensland.

He has been in contention for the Saddle Bronc title at a number of National Finals Rodeos but made sure of his first title with a second in round 2 and wins in the final two rounds this year. After being unplaced in round 1, he scored 82, 80 and 83 in the final three rounds.

A horse breaker by trade, Moffatt was competing at the finals for the sixth time.