06 August, 2021
CLONCURRY RODEO
By Gerard Walsh
There are more than 500 nominations for the Curry Merry Muster Rodeo on Friday and Saturday. (August 6-7)
Cloncurry is one of only a handful of two-day rodeos in the Australian Professional Rodeo Association.
The rodeo is the fourth last chance for competitors to win prizemoney and boost their chances of qualifying for the Ariat National Finals Rodeo Warwick in late October.
The top 15 riders in each of the eight championship events will qualify for the national finals. The current season ends on August 31.
Rarely does a rodeo attract 100 entries in an event but that is the case this week at Cloncurry with 101 riders in open team roping.
APRA chairman Shane Iker said there were a lot of new riders competing in association events this season.
“Charters Towers was a new rodeo for the APRA and we had 88 in team roping and more than 400 riders in total,” he said.
“We are having top quality competition in all events.”
Massive nominations have been received in cowgirl events at Cloncurry with 76 in breakaway roping and 65 in the barrel race.
The first of the action at Cloncurry will be on Friday morning when the Cloncurry Junior Rodeo will start.
On Friday night, a bull ride separate to the main rodeo will be held at Cloncurry with rodeo stock from Gill Brothers from Upper Horton in New South Wales.
The Curry Merry Muster Rodeo main performance action will start at 11am Friday and 8am Saturday. Tickets on sale at the gate.
Curry committee secretary Carlie Remfrey said the organising committee of 12 had sponsorship which had allowed them to have free admission to all events on the Friday.
“We have transported 375 tonnes of Flinders River sand to upgrade the arena surface,” Carlie said.
“For the 15th time, Ernest Henry Mining are the naming rights sponsors for the rodeo.”
Two of the local riders in cowgirl events will be Kelly-Jo Litchfield and Brandie Ferguson. Jesse Remfrey will contest the junior breakaway roping and the junior steer ride.
Former Julie Creek and now Camooweal bull rider Jake Kerr has nominated for Cloncurry.
The rough stock for the rodeo will be from Gill Brothers and A and J Remfrey Rodeo Company and the timed event stock will come from Destiny Downs Cattle Company from Emerald,
One of the feature events at the rodeo will be the Ken Coleman Memorial Open Saddle Bronc Shoot Out.
Six of the best Gill Brothers horses at the rodeo will be matched with six riders, the top four placegetters in saddle bronc and two of the remaining riders drawn out of a hat.
The winner of the shoot out will receive $1000 and a rodeo buckle.
APRA program
August 6: Cloncurry Xtreme Bulls
August 6: Cloncurry Junior Rodeo
August 6-7: Curry Merry Muster Rodeo
August 12-15: Mt Isa Rodeo
August 20-21: North Queensland Elite Rodeo, Townsville
August 28: Capella Rodeo
September 4: St Brendan’s College Rodeo
September 11: Comet Rodeo
September 18: Gargett Rodeo
More information on APRA on 07 4661 8183.
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