ELITE FINISH

 Elite Finish

From outback dust in the northwest to the coastal beaches, the ‘northern run’ of APRA rodeos takes competitors on a diverse road trip of some of Queensland’s most spectacular tourism destinations. The season changing and standings shaking run of rodeos fittingly wound down with 2 days of action at the Elite Rodeo stadium near Townsville.

Wendy Caban had had a consistent northern run, gathering cheques in the barrel race at Cloncurry and Mount Isa as well as adding a round placing in the breakaway at Mount Isa. However, she saved her best performance for last, pulling off the daily double by winning both the Ladies Barrel Race and the Ladies Breakaway Roping for a total payout of $6482 at North Queensland’s Elite rodeo.

From opposite ends of Australia, Cancy Middleton of Hughenden QLD paired up with Glen Perkins of Mount Egerton Vic, to capture the team roping win from Emerald team, Angela Simpson and Tyler Kenny. The Rope and Tie master, Shane Kenny,  proved why he is Australia’s most decorated cowboy, besting everyone for yet another win in his signature event. While Jace Land, fresh home from a USA stint, was too good for the rest of the field in the Steer Wrestling.

Ross Ford owned bucking horse, Out Of Pearl, helped Michael Johnston and Tristan Braden to first and second in the Saddle Bronc Riding respectively. Richmond cowboy, Deon Lane, made the straight trip along the Flinders Hwy and straight to the pay window after holding off veteran cowboy Dave Worsfold to win the Bareback Riding. The bulls beat most of the cowboys in the Open Bull Ride, with Victorian Sam Woodall claiming victory over the only other scorer Cameron Southern.

With the ‘northern run’ of rodeos winding down the action moves onto Capella rodeo this weekend. The race to secure a top 15 standings finish and book a National Finals Rodeo qualification is on for many cowboys and cowgirls and things will come right down to the end of the regular season on September 30^th.