WANDOAN COWBOY CAMERON WEBSTER

WANDOAN cowboy Cameron Webster is in a must-win situation as he approaches his ride on Little Joe in the Millmerran Show Rodeo on Saturday (March 2).

With two months of the Australian Professional Rodeo Association season to go, Webster is in second place in saddle bronc standings almost $3000 in prize money behind leader Brad Pierce, of Tooma, New South Wales.

The rider with the most prize money on April 30 will win the pro tour buckle. Webster’s best chance to challenge for the pro tour title is success at Millmerran and then at Emerald and Roma at Easter and winning some prize money in Victoria in March.

While Webster and Thallon rider Andrew Turvey, who is 5th in the standings, are assured of spots in the top-15 for the National Finals Rodeo at the Gold Coast Convention Centre in June, many saddle bronc riders from the Darling Downs and South-west area need a placing at Millmerran to boost their chances.

Turvey has drawn the Gill Brothers horse Centrefold at Millmerran.

Warwick rider Mark Collins is currently 16th and has the chance on the horse Victoria to move into the top-15 this weekend.

Jamahl Hamilton (Roma), Greg Hamilton (Mitchell), Michael Maher (Warwick) and John Turvey (St George) are other riders who need to make every post a winner in the next two months to qualify for the finals. All four have nominated for Millmerran in a saddle bronc field of 16.

There are 15 in the bull ride, most backing up after a $6000 bull ride at Woodford on Friday night.

There are 205 nominations for Millmerran on Saturday. All eight championship events will be contested.

The largest field at Millmerran is 30 in breakaway roping, including standings leader Kerry Turner, of Charlwood, near Kalbar.

Current APRA all-around cowgirl titleholder Wendy Caban, of Moree, will compete in breakaway roping and the barrel race.

Some of her toughest opposition will come from her sister-in-law, Central Queensland rider Leanne Caban.

Two of the high profile ropers heading to Millmerran are Emerald cowboy Clancy Middleton and past APRA all around champion Shane Iker, of Alton Downs.

APRA program: March 1 Woodford Bull Ride (Qld); March 2 Millmerran Show Rodeo (Qld), Cranbourne (Vic) ; March 8 Kyabram (Vic); March 9 Merrijig (Vic); March 10 Gowrie Park (Tas), Chiltern (Vic); March 23 Preston (Tas), Comet (Qld) Benefit Rodeo; March 29 Fielders Great Western Rodeo (Vic), Roma Bull Ride; March 30 Omeo (Vic), Emerald (Qld); March 31 Buchan (Vic), Daly Waters (NT), Roma (Qld); April 1 Lang Lang (Vic).
More information from APRA office on 07 4661 8183

Photos Courtesy of:
Frenchs Rodeo Photos
Dave Ethell Rodeo Photos