NICHOLE FITZPATRICK MOVES UP STANDINGS

Photo by Dave Ethell

 
AFTER winning two titles in the Australian Professional Rodeo Association last season, Willow Tree cowgirl Nichole Fitzpatrick has started a move up the standings this season.

Last weekend, she was one of many riders from northern New South Wales to head to a rodeo at Narrendera and won the breakaway roping in 2.35 seconds. Bacchus Marsh (Vic) rider Latteliah DeSpirt was second and Warra (Qld) cowgirl Jane Fay third.

In her barrel race, Fitzpatrick was sixth behind winner Amber McIntyre, of Molyullah, Victoria.

There was more northern New South Wales success at Narrandera with Moree cowgirl Wendy Caban third in the barrel race.

Caban leads the all around cowgirl standings in the APRA and can go into the national finals at the Warwick Australian Championships Rodeo in October as is a front runner for a title if she can maintain her current form.

The bulls from the Garry McPhee string were too good for the cowboys at Narrandera with no scoring rides.

More cowboys made time in saddle bronc with Brad Pierce, of Tooma, the winner ahead of fellow NSW riders Carl Green from Walcha and Rosewood cowboy Tim Hammond.

Young (NSW) rider Rod Thorp won the steer wrestling at Narrandera from another NSW rider Heath Nichols.

The Gard siblings from Table Top on the New South Wales/Victoria border enjoyed success at Narrandera with Ellie winning the junior barrel race and Ben on top of the placings in the junior breakaway roping.

This weekend, competitors have two options in the APRA, a rodeo at Sale in Victoria and a show rodeo at Millmerran in Queensland which will be the most attractive to most of the northern New South Wales riders.

One of the form cowboys on the circuit is Lockington (Vic) cowboy Lee Kimber who has moved up to third on the all around cowboy standings behind two Queenslanders, Shane Kenny and Clancy Middleton.

APRA Program: February rodeos: February 28 Sale (Vic); February 28 Millmerran Show Rodeo.

March rodeos: March 6 Kyabram (Vic); March 7 Gowrie Park (Tas); March 7 Merrijig (Vic); March 8 Chiltern (Vic); March 14 Clare (SA); March 21 Comet (Qld).

 

More information or requests for photos to APRA head office on (07) 4661 8183.