QUEENSLAND RIDERS EYE OFF NSW SHOW RODEO

Queensland riders eye off NSW show rodeos

PLENTY of Queensland riders will be heading across the border into New South Wales this month in a last ditch effort to qualify for The Warwick Rodeo National Finals in late October this year.

The Australian Professional Rodeo Association season ends of April 30 which leaves rodeos at Moree, Albury and Narrabri as the last chance for qualification.

The 15 riders with the most prize money in the eight championship events will qualify for the four rounds of the finals at the Warwick Showgrounds on October 27-30.

There is also an incentive for the riders who have already secured national finals spots to compete as all competitors will take carryover points into the final from the money won during the season.

While the finals format is designed so the 15^th placed rider can do well in each round of the finals and win the title buckle, the riders higher up the standings have the inside running.

The Moree Show Rodeo is on April 22 and the Narrabri Show Rodeo on April 29.

Wandoan cowboy Cameron Webster won the saddle bronc at the Roma Rodeo at Easter and will be one of the favourites at the two northern New South Wales rodeos.

He won’t get it all his own way as Mitchell rider Greg Hamilton won at Comet last month and Warwick cowboy Lachlan Miller was victorious at Emerald at Easter when he scored three more points than Webster.

Roma rider Jamie Howlett won the bareback bronc rides at Emerald and Roma and will be the one to beat at Moree and Narrabri.

New South Wales riders will start as two of the favourites in the bull ride after Troy Wilkinson and Jason O’Hearn each won a bull ride at Easter.

Dingo rider Ryan Storey won the bull ride at Emerald with 82 points and will be a contender at Moree and Narrabri if he makes the trip south.

Young Alton Downs rider Jordan Iker beat riders up to three times his age in winning the steer wrestling  at the timed event day at Destiny Downs at Emerald and looks like a future all around standings lead contender. He has already mixed it with the best in the business in the rope and tie and team roping and is now winning in steer wrestling after winning plenty of events at junior level.

APRA PROGRAM: April 15 Warwick Heritage Week Concretors Bull Ride; April 22 Moree Show Rodeo; April 24 Ettamogah Pub Rodeo, Albury; April 29 Narrabri Show Rodeo; May 1 St George (Qld) Show Rodeo; May 7 Nebo Rodeo; May 27 Bundaberg Show Rodeo.

More information 07 4661 8183.