QUEENSLAND COWGIRLS

THIRTEEN Queensland cowgirls are in the top 20 in Australian Professional Rodeo Association standings in breakaway roping.

Alton Downs rider Jorja Watkins retains her place on top after the Warwick Rodeo on the last weekend in October.

Watkins has been relegated to second in all around standings by Moree rider Wendy Caban who won the barrel race at Warwick.

Mt Tarampa cowgirl Cheyenne Whitwell has moved from seventh to second on the breakaway roping standings after winning overall at Warwick.

Calla Matthews, of Alton Downs, is third and Chloe Abbott, of Virginia, Northern Territory, fourth.

Delaney’s Creek (Caboolture) rider Rachelle Carlo has improved her spot in the standings to fifth and is now odds on to qualify in the top 15 for the APRA National Finals Rodeo in her hometown on May 1-4 next year.

Riders had the chance to improve their position in the standings with success at Mt Isa and Warwick rodeos, the two with the most prize money in the APRA. Prize money alone determines positions in the standings.

Jane Fay (Warra, 8th), Sharon McGuire (Taroom, 11th), Tamara Knox (Ebenezer 13th), Leah Morgan (Gracemere, 14th) and Leanne Caban (Emerald, 15th) are also on target for the NFR.

Richmond rider Nicola Lillyman, Leanne Kenny, of Emerald, Karly Morgan from Gracemere and Lowood cowgirl Judy Gough are four of the next five on the standings and can break into the top 15 with a victory on the Christmas Run of seven rodeos in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.

With qualifiers for the NFR being determined by results to April 30, ropers keen to make it the May 1-4 finals at the Queensland State Equestrian Centre at Caboolture will be aiming for prize money on the Christmas Run.

The next APRA Rodeo will be the Deep South Chute Out and Barrels in Tasmania on November 23 and then the Rosewood Rodeo in New South Wales on December 7.

The Christmas Run starts at Myrtleford in Victoria on December 26 and ends with rodeos in Victoria at Wangaratta and Beechworth on January 4.

The one Queensland APRA rodeo remaining this year is a New Year’s Eve Rodeo on December 31 at Nebo.

There are 15 rodeos in five states early next year leading up to the Victorian long weekend rodeos on March 7-9 at Kyabram, Merrijig and Chiltern, the last major chance for riders to qualify for the NFR.

More information from APRA head office on 07 4661 8183.