Photo of David Stacey by Dave Ethell – www.dephotos.com.au

Rodeo action in NSW, Victoria and South Australia on New Year’s Weekend

RIDERS from four states are among the favourites for the Saddle Bronc ride during the Christmas Run of rodeos in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.

The first of the Christmas Run rodeos was on Boxing Day at Myrtleford and there are three rodeos on the New Year’s weekend, Yarrawonga (Vic) and Carrieton (SA) on Friday (December 30) and Tumbarumba (NSW) on New Year’s Day, January 1.

Tooma (NSW) rider Brad Pierce, Victorian star Heath Chalmers and Millmerran (Qld) cowboy John McNamee will be three of the favourites for the New Year weekend rodeos in New South Wales and Victoria while David Stacey (Goolwa , SA) will be one of the best chances at Carrieton.

All three New Year’s weekend rodeos are for Championship Points in the Australian Professional Rodeo Association.

The final two rodeos on the APRA Christmas Run are at Finley (NSW) on January 6 and Beechworth (Vic) on January 7.

Pierce won the 2015 APRA title in Saddle Bronc and was second in the aggregate at the National Finals this year. He is a past Rookie World Champion and has just retired from the Bull Ride to concentrate on Saddle Bronc.

Chalmers hails from Beverford in Victoria and recorded a second and third in this year’s National Finals. He is not in the top-15 in the new season so will be aiming for some placings on the Christmas Run.

McNamee narrowly won this year’s APRA Saddle Bronc title after a win and third in the rounds at the National Finals rodeo in Warwick. He is currently second in APRA standings in the 2017 Season in Saddle Bronc.

Young (NSW) rider Ben Thorp heads the Bull Riders competing on the Christmas Run. Thorp was second in round 1 of the National Finals in October at the Warwick Rodeo with a score of 82.

Some of the best  timed events riders in the nation will be in the southern states for the Christmas Run, including Emerald rider Shane Kenny who has won the most titles in APRA history.

Kenny will contest all the rodeos on the Christmas Run. His daughter Ellysa will be one to watch after she won round 1 of the open Barrel Race at the Mt Isa Rodeo this year while still a junior.

The past two All Around Cowgirl title winners in the APRA, Stephanie Gard from Albury in New South Wales and Shianne O’Donoghue-Kent from Bunyip in Victoria are competing in the Barrel Race and Breakaway Roping on the Christmas Run.

START TIMES: Friday December 30 Yarrawonga Rodeo,  Yarrawonga Showgrounds,  7:30pm tickets sold at the gate.

Friday December 30 Carrieton Rodeo,  Carrieton Recreation Grounds, 7:00pm  tickets sold at the gate

Sunday, January 1 Tumbarumba Rodeo, Tumbarumba Showgrounds, 2:00pm tickets sold at the gate

PROGRAM:

December 30 – Carrieton (SA), Yarrawonga (Vic)

December 31 – Mt Isa New Year’s Eve Rodeo (Qld)

January 1 – Tumbarumba (NSW)

January 6 – Finley (NSW)

January 7 – Beechworth (Vic).

More information or requests for more photos - APRA head office 07 4661 8183