THE FOCUS OF THE APRA

THE focus of the Australian Professional Rodeo Association will move to Central Queensland later this month as competitors aim to qualify for the National Finals Rodeo in June.

Wet weather dampened the start of the season in Queensland with Millmerran and Woodford rodeos postponed two weeks ago.

The Comet Benefit Rodeo is on March 23 and the Emerald Rodeo on March 30.

Most of the competitors who compete at Emerald on Easter Saturday will travel to Roma for an Easter Sunday Rodeo.

The bull riders will have their first chance at Easter to secure prize money and championship points on March 29 at Roma with a bull ride only event in the town.

The top-15 riders in all eight championship points events will qualify for the NFR at the Gold Coast Convention Centre on June 13-16. Riders currently placed 11th to 15th need more prize money to ensure they qualify for the Gold Coast.

There are plenty of Queensland riders in the saddle bronc and bull ride who can secure a NFR spot with top performances on the Easter weekend.

These include saddle bronc riders Adrian Chong (Emerald, 12th at present), Carl Chambers (Roma, 14th), Mark Collins (Warwick 16th) and Jason Crawford (Dingo, 19th).

Five of the six cowboys placed 15th to 20th in the bull ride standings are from Queensland.

Mitchell Power (Bluff) is 15th, one spot ahead of reigning champion Rhys Angland, of Wantabadgery, NSW.

They are followed on the standings by Troy Mara (Bouldercombe), Jared Borghero (Gracemere), Mark Lamberth (Mt Isa) and Guy Ford (Rockhampton).

Four Queensland are in the top-20 in the bareback, Fred Osman (Gore, 2nd), David Worsfold (Wandoan, 4th), Clint Burton (Miles, 8th) and Stuart Frame (Gracemere, 13th). Only Frame is in danger of missing the top-15 if riders lower on the standings perform well at Easter.

Osman is $200 in prize money behind Gunnedah rider Wade Clifford in the battle for the pro tour title in bareback for most prize money in 2012-2013.

The Millmerran Rodeo, which was washed out in March, has been re-scheduled on May 18. With the current season ending on April 30, prize money at Millmerran will go towards standings in the 2013-2014 season.

APRA program: 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