APRA NORTHERN RUN

THE saddle bronc ride is set to be the most closely contested on the Northern Run in the Australian Professional Rodeo Association.

The first rodeo on the Northern Run in Queensland will be at Taroom on July 20.

Competitors will move to Longreach on July 26, take the long drive to Richmond for a July 27 rodeo and then spend a weekend in Cloncurry for the Merry Muster on August 2-3, one of only four two-day rodeos in the APRA.

The Mt Isa Rodeo has the most prize money in the APRA and is likely to attract more than 60 saddle bronc riders.

Five different cowboys won rounds of the saddle bronc ride at the Jeep National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in mid June at the Gold Coast Convention Centre.

Tibooburra rider Anthony Caldwell from north-west New South Wales won round 2 and recorded enough placings to win the title.

Round 1 NFR winner, Glen Kent, of Strathalbyn, South Australia, has been one of the most consistent saddle bronc riders on the circuit in the past decade and is set to fly north for some of the rodeos on the Northern Run.

Fellow South Australian cowboy David Stacey, of Murray Bridge, split first with Peter Moffatt, in round 4 at the finals and will be keen to continue his good form into the 2014 season.

Rhys Angland, of Wantabadgery, New South Wales, won round 5 at the Gold Coast and is one of only a handful of competitors who contest two rough stock events in the APRA. He won the saddle bronc, bull ride and all around titles in 2012 so is always the one to beat if he contests a rodeo.

Moffatt, of Benalla, Victoria, and formerly from Millmerran, Queensland, recorded one first and one equal first at the NFR to narrowly miss out on the title. He has been close to a title over the past three years.

Reigning pro tour saddle bronc winner Cameron Webster, of Wandoan, recorded two placings but missed out on wins at the NFR, and will be keen to start the Northern Run with a win at the closest APRA rodeo to his hometown at Taroom.

Webster stormed home in February and March to narrowly win the pro tour from Tooma (NSW) rider Brad Pierce so has enough form on the board this year to strongly challenge at Taroom.

The 2014 season started on May 1 and competitors will be aiming for prize money on the Northern Run to snare a top-15 spot early in the season.

Webster is the early leader from fellow Queensland riders John Turvey and Greg Hamilton.

All riders in the top 15 at the end of April will qualify for next year’s NFR.

All eight championship events will be held at the five rodeos on the Northern Run, including two cowgirls events, the barrel race and breakaway roping.

Some cowgirls also compete in mixed teams against the men in teams roping which helps boost their all around cowgirl title hopes.

Currently, Victorian rider Toby Collins, of Maldon, and Moree (NSW) rider Wendy Caban are the all-around leaders in the new season.

The first rodeo on the new financial year will be at Pine Creek in the Northern Territory on July 6.

PROGRAM: July 6 Pine Creek, NT; July 20 Taroom; July 26 Longreach; July 27 Richmond; August 2-3 Cloncurry Merry Muster, August 9-11 Mt Isa Rodeo.

More information from APRA office on 4661 8183.