| NEXT RODEO: |
| VICTORIAN BULL RIDING TITLES | DECEMBER 15 | ENTRY DATES: December 6/7 |
| BAROSSA TIMED EVENT RODEO, SA | DECEMBER 16 | ENTRY DATES: December 6/7 |
| MYRTLEFORD RODEO | DECEMBER 26 | ENTRY DATES: December 6/7 |
| BUNDALONG TAVERN RODEO CANCELLED | DECEMBER 29 | ENTRY DATES: |
| CARRIETON RODEO, SA | DECEMBER 31 | ENTRY DATES: December 13/14 |
| TUMBARUMBA NEW YEARS DAY RODEO, NSW | JANUARY 01 | ENTRY DATES: December 13/14 |
| KATAMATITE LIONS RODEO, VIC | JANUARY 06 | ENTRY DATES: December 13/14 |
| ALEXANDRA RODEO, VIC | JANUARY 13 | ENTRY DATES: January 20/21 |
| PETERBOROUGH RODEO | JANUARY 13 | ENTRY DATES: December 20/21 |
| CARRICK BULL RIDE, TAS | JANUARY 13 | ENTRY DATES: December 20/21 |
See photos attached:
Photo of Toby Collins by Dave Ethell – www.dephotos.com.au
Photo of Cherie O’Donoghue by Dave Ethell – www.dephotos.com.au
Photo of Terry Evison by Dave Ethell – www.dephotos.com.au
THERE are more than 1000 nominations for the three Victorian long weekend rodeos at Kyabram, Merrijig and Chiltern.
THE chance to chase prizemoney at three rodeo in three days has attracted the best of the best in the Australian Professional Rodeo Association to Victoria this weekend.
The action starts at the Kyabram Showgrounds from 7pm Friday, then McCormack Park at Merrijig on Saturday at 6:30pm and Junior Events from 1pm and lastly Chiltern Rodeo at the Chiltern Racecourse from 6pm Sunday.
There are 324 nominations for Kyabram, 339 for Merrijig and 343 for Chiltern.
The Saddle Bronc will be one of the feature events at all three rodeos.
Last year’s Mt Isa Rodeo winner Michael Maher will travel from Warwick in Queensland but will face some tough opposition from a field, including Victorian star Toby Collins from Maldon, who will compete in all three rough stock events at all three rodeos, and dual APRA Champion Brad Pierce from Tooma in New South Wales.
A large number of Queenslanders will be in Victoria to compete this weekend, including current APRA Champion and standings leader John McNamee, from Millmerran, and last year’s National Finals Aggregate Winner Allan Powell from Springsure. Last month, McNamee went ahead of Maher in the APRA standings this season but Maher won at Millmerran (Qld) on Saturday and McNamee was unplaced.
In the timed events, it will be a battle between the best competitors from the eastern mainland states and some riders from South Australia.
Victorian pair Lee Kimber (Lockington) and Terry Evison (Pine Grove) have been at the top of their games in Rope and Tie, Steer Wrestling and Team Roping for the past decade but two of the best in the business are coming from Queensland to press them all the way.
Shane Kenny from Emerald is the most prolific title winner in the APRA and will be at the three long weekend rodeos along with current All Around Cowboy Shane Iker (Alton Downs, Qld) who also won the title for 2008 and 2014.
Campbell Hodson hails from Townsville in Queensland and is third in All Around Cowboy standings, leader in the Rope and Tie and second in Team Roping Header standings so is in form.
New South Wales won’t be left out in timed events in Victoria this weekend with Scone auctioneer Heath Nichols second in All Around Cowboy standings and the top four in Rope and Tie and Steer Wrestling.
There are up to 46 nominations from the cowgirls for Breakaway Roping and the Barrel Race at the three rodeos.
The past two All Around Champions in the APRA, Stephanie Gard from Albury (NSW) and Shianne O’Donoghue-Kent from Bunyip (Vic) will both compete along with six-time All Around Champion Cherie O’Donoghue from Lockington. O’Donoghue and Elley Hulls (Leongatha) are in an all-women combination in team roping at the three rodeos.
More information or requests for more photos to APRA on 07 4661 8183
