O'DONOGHUE FAVOURITE FOR BALLARAT

Photo of Lee Kimber by Dave Ethell – www.dephotos.com.au

Photo of Shianne O’Donoghue-Kent by Dave Ethell – www.dephotos.com.au

FORMER Kalbar cowboy Lee Kimber will be one of the riders to watch in timed events at the Ballarat Rodeo on Saturday.

Kimber is the current Australian Professional Rodeo Association Executive Chairman but still competes in his three pet events, Rope and Tie, Steer Wrestling and Team Roping.

He currently lives in Lockington, Victoria.

Kimber will be one of the favourites in timed events but is expected to face tough opposition from Pine Grove cowboy Terry Evison, a regular down the years at the top of APRA standings.

There are 37 nominations in the Barrel Race for cowgirls and 31 in Breakaway Roping at Ballarat.

Two of the favourites for cowgirl events are current APRA  All Around Champion Shianne O’Donoghue-Kent from Bunyip in New South Wales and Cherie O’Donoghue from Lockington in Victoria.

There are strong nominations in junior events, including 32 in the Barrel Race.

There is also an Xtreme Bulls event at Penrith this weekend which has some nominations from Queensland, including 2016 Mt Isa winner Jared Borghero who was the only rider to make time on two bulls at the richest rodeo in the APRA.

The next APRA rodeo is Queensland is the Millmerran Show Rodeo on March 4.

Ballarat Rodeo is held at the Ballarat Polocrosse Grounds, Airport Rd and will commence from 6:30pm

February 11: Ballarat (Vic)

February 11: Penrith Xtreme Bulls (NSW)

February 11: Ross (Tas)

February 18: Hay (NSW)

February 18: Lillico (Tas)

February 25: Narrandera (NSW)

February 25: Powranna Bull Ride and Rodeo (Tas)

February 25: Xtreme Bulls Finals, Dubbo (NSW)

February 25: Whittlesea (Vic)