Attached is a photo of David Worsfold www.kenyonsportsphotos.com.au

WANDOAN rider Dave Worsfold is the defending champion in the bareback bronc ride at the Bowen River Rodeo and will be hard to beat in this year’s rodeo on June 11-12.

Last year, Worsfold won both rounds of the bareback at Bowen River to make the long drive north worthwhile.

Worsfold finished the season to April 30 in fifth place in Australian Professional Rodeo Association standings after being in the lead group from the start of last season after his double wins at Bowen River.

He was one of four Queenslanders in the top-six in bareback standings when the season ended on April 30.

Parrish May was second, Jack Kidd fourth, Worsfold fifth and Matthew Makinson sixth. Three of the four will be in a group of 15 bareback riders who will contest The Warwick Rodeo National Finals on October 27-30 at the Warwick Showgrounds. Worsfold won the title last year in Warwick and will be one of the most experienced riders in the finals after a stint competing in North America.

Warwick cowboy Michael Maher won one of the saddle bronc events at Bowen River last year before going on to win overall at Mt Isa. Maher has also competed in America and is a likely starter at Bowen River.

The Bowen River Rodeo in North Queensland is one of only a few in the APRA held over two or more days.

There are two separate rodeos on the weekend which give riders who miss out on a score or time on the Saturday another chance on the Sunday.

Last year, most of the best competitors in Queensland headed north to compete at Bowen River and it will be the same this year as riders aim to move up the early season standings before the start of the Northern Run.

Many APRA members will use Bowen Rivers to fine tune their form for the Northern Run. Large nominations are also expected in the cowgirl events, barrel racing and breakaway roping.

The Northern Run is one of the two biggest in the APRA and will start at Emerald on July 8-9 with the national junior finals.

An open rodeo is on at Emerald on July 9  and then APRA action will move to Longreach, Taroom and Cloncurry before the richest rodeo in the nation at Mt Isa on August 12-14.

Bowen River Rodeo kicks off at 9am both days at the Bowen River Rodeo Grounds.

Rodeo program: June 11-12 Bowen River Rodeo; July 8-9 APRA Junior Nationals Finals Emerald; July 9 Emerald Ag Grow Rodeo; July 30 Taroom Rodeo.