MOREE COWGIRL...

MOREE cowgirl Wendy Caban has the chance to secure the all around pro tour title in the Australian Professional Rodeo Association with some top performances in the Southern states late in the season.

The current season started on May 1 and Caban has set up a substantial lead in all around standings from Lavington (NSW) rider Stephanie Gard who competes with siblings Benjamin and Ellie on the APRA circuit.

Caban won the barrel race at Warwick to secure the lead from Alton Downs (Qld) rider Jorja Watkins who dropped from first to third place in the standings. The Moree rider has won the all around championship title three times in the past six years.

Five of the top 10 in all around cowgirl standings hail from New South Wales.

The Christmas Run of rodeos in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia is the biggest run in the APRA and a great chance for riders to secure a spot in the top 15 and press their claims for a pro tour title.

The first rodeo is at Myrtleford in Victoria on Boxing Day and the last at Beechworth in Victoria on January 4.

Riders who don’t compete on the Christmas Run have another chance to boost their pro tour standings in three rodeos on the Victorian long weekend in March.

There are 38 riders left in the season in the APRA but riders prefer to travel to long distances for multiple rodeos at the one time.

New South Wales riders Jo Farquahar (Murrurundi), Leslie Moore (Denman) and Phillipa Leys (Tamworth) are in seventh to ninth placings in the all around cowgirl standings.

In barrel racing, Caban took the lead after the Warwick Rodeo from Gogango (Qld) rider PJ Hanrahan who was second and third in rounds and third overall in the barrel race at this year’s Mt Isa Rodeo in August.

Hanrahan and Caban are well ahead on prize money from third placed Nichole Fitzpatrick, of Willow Tree, NSW, in the battle for the pro tour title in barrel racing.

Leys is the top New South Wales rider in breakaway roping standings at sixth between the Queensland leaders at the head of the leader board, Watkins, Cheyenne Whitwell (Mt Tarampa) and Calla Matthews (Alton Downs).

The pro tour titles will be won by the cowgirl with the most money at the end of the season on April 30.

Only one rodeo remains in the APRA before the Christmas Run, it will be held at Rosewood in New South Wales on December 7.

Nebo in Queensland will host a New Year’s Eve Rodeo for APRA championship points on December 31 in the Nebo Undercover Arena, an event which will support breast cancer research.

The Gill Brothers from Upper Horton in New South Wales will be travelling to Nebo with rodeo stock along with Queensland-based contractors Darren Brandenbury and Destiny Cattle Company.

APRA PROGRAM: December 7 Rosewood (NSW); December 26 Myrtleford Golden Spurs 60th Rodeo (Victoria); December 28 Deniliquin (NSW), Carrieton (SA); December 30 Yarrawonga (Vic); December 31 Nebo (Qld); January 1 Tumbarumba (NSW); January 3 Finley (NSW); January 4 Beechworth (Vic); January 18 Stony Creek (Vic).

More information from APRA head office on 07 4661 8183