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THREE wins by Errol Frain and Shane Iker in the Northern Territory has further boosted the Central Queensland reputation as one of the strongest rodeo regions in the country.

Central Queensland can claim at least one quarter of the qualifiers for many Australian Professional Rodeo Association finals series.

Frain is from Yeppoon and has returned to regular competition this year and split first in the steer wrestling at the Darwin Rodeo in 10.8 seconds with Alton Downs rider Shane Iker. The two combined to win team roping in 6.15 seconds.

Shane just made it into the winning team in team roping as his son Jordan Iker and Frain were second in 6.35 seconds.

Shane made it three pay cheques at Darwin with victory in the rope and tie from Townsville star Campbell Hodson.

Riders are able to nominate in two different teams for team roping in most rodeos in the APRA which Frain took advantage of in Darwin.

Frain was 36^th in APRA steer wrestling standings last season but is already in the top 15 in the new season and making an early challenge for the standings lead.

Iker showed with his performances in Darwin that he will be hard to beat in the Warwick Rodeo Australian Championships at the Warwick Showgrounds on October 22-25 when the top 15 in all APRA events will go head-to-head over four rounds.

The two Northern Territory rodeos at Katherine and Darwin attracted a large number of riders from Queensland and southern states.

The rough stock events in Darwin were won by riders from three different states, Strathalbyn (SA) rider Leslie Stacey in saddle bronc, bull rider Sally Malay from Yarrawonga, Victoria, and Tumbarumba (NSW) bareback rider Ben Hall.

There were a lot of smiles around the chutes at Darwin after former top APRA rider Bob Holder (NSW) came third in team roping in combination with Ross Siebenhausen.

Holder is in his 80s and one of the oldest competitors in the APRA. He was one of the first Australians to make a success of competing professionally in the United States and has competed at the two biggest rodeos in the APRA, Warwick and Mt Isa, in the past year.

APRA Program: October 4 Marrabel (SA); October 10 Rockhampton (Qld); October 21 Hobart Show Bulls and Barrels (Tas); October 22-25 Warwick Rodeo Australian Championships (Qld).

NT open winners:

Katherine: Saddle bronc Adrian Chong 66, bull ride Matt Boland 79, bareback Ben Hall 68, rope and tie Clancy Middleton 13.0, steer wrestling Adrian Chong 5.15, team roping Clancy Middleton and Aaron Bookluck 5.5, barrel racing Cherie O’Donoghue 16.065, breakaway roping Stephanie Gard 3.25.

Darwin: Saddle bronc Leslie Stacey, bull ride Sally Malay, bareback Ben Hall, rope and tie Shane Iker, steer wrestling Errol Frain and Shane Iker equal 1^st 6.15, team roping Errol Frain and Shane Iker 6.55, barrel racing Susie Fearon 18.015, breakaway roping Tamara Knox 2.7.

More information from APRA on 07 4661 8183

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