| NEXT RODEO: |
| TRARALGON RODEO | DECEMBER 09 | ENTRY DATES: 29/30 November |
| VICTORIAN BULL RIDING TITLES | DECEMBER 15 | ENTRY DATES: December 6/7 |
| BAROSSA TIMED EVENT RODEO, SA | DECEMBER 16 | ENTRY DATES: December 6/7 |
| MYRTLEFORD RODEO | DECEMBER 26 | ENTRY DATES: December 6/7 |
| BUNDALONG TAVERN RODEO, VIC | DECEMBER 29 | ENTRY DATES: December 6/7 |
| CARRIETON RODEO, SA | DECEMBER 31 | ENTRY DATES: December 13/14 |
| TUMBARUMBA NEW YEARS DAY RODEO, NSW | JANUARY 01 | ENTRY DATES: December 13/14 |
| KATAMATITE LIONS RODEO, VIC | JANUARY 06 | ENTRY DATES: December 13/14 |
| ALEXANDRA RODEO, VIC | JANUARY 13 | ENTRY DATES: January 20/21 |
| PETERBOROUGH RODEO | JANUARY 13 | ENTRY DATES: December 20/21 |
A COWBOY from Hughenden in North Queensland will be one to watch as the Australian Professional Rodeo Association program moves to Queensland later this month.
Clancy Middleton is a second-generation rider from Hughenden who moved to Central Queensland for a time to follow a rodeo dream.
He has been one of the top performers in the Australian Professional Rodeo Association in recent years and will be seeking his first end of season title at the Warwick Rodeo Australian Championships on October 22-25.
Middleton is one of a number of APRA members who stars in three events, rope and tie, steer wrestling and team roping.
He currently heads the APRA team roping header standings from Victorian cowboy Terry Evison and Central Queensland star Shane Kenny.
Middleton is third in rope and tie standings and second in the all around.
His first chance in Queensland this year to win prize money will be at the Comet Rodeo in Central Queensland on March 21.
Two weeks later, he will have another chance when the Emerald M Group Easter Sunflower Festival Rodeo is held on April 4 and the Roma Rodeo on April 5.
Middleton is one rider who often travels to the Southern states to compete. He has also travelled regularly to the Northern Territory for two rodeos straight after the Mt Isa Rodeo each August.
In a change to the format for determining title winners this year, all qualifiers for the Warwick Rodeo Australian Championships will be credited with one point for each dollar won during the season.
While standings leaders like Middleton will have the advantage, the format will allow a rider who qualifies 15th for the finals a chance to win a title if they out perform all their opponents in the four rounds of the Australian championships.
The APRA season goes to the end of April each year.
APRA program
March 14 Clare (SA); March 21 Comet (Qld); April 3 Great Western Rodeo (Vic); April 3 Roma Bull Ride; April 4 Emerald M Group Easter Sunflower Festival Rodeo; April 4 Omeo; April 5 Buchan (Vic); April 5 Roma (Qld), April 5 Tocumwal (NSW); April 6 Lang Lang (Vic); April 11 Corryong (Vic); April 25 Alstonville (NSW).
More information or requests for photos to APRA head office on 07 4661 8183.
