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Australian Professional Rodeo Association Chairman Shane Iker is upbeat about the renewed interest in the saddle bronc ride and timed events in the current rodeo season.

Iker said three rodeo committees had booked new rodeos under the APRA, the most new rodeos in recent years.

“We will have the longest Northern Run in history,” he said.

The Northern Run will start at Emerald on June 26 and finish with a Capella (Qld) rodeo on August 28.

A percentage of each entry fee boosts prizemoney in individual events on the APRA circuit. The more entries, the more prizemoney.

“We have the Bowen Xtreme Broncs on July 23 as a forerunner to the Charters Towers Rodeo which is now under the APRA ,” he said.

“Capella is a new APRA rodeo on the Northern Run in Queensland, and a professional rodeo will be held at Wandoan on the weekend before the APRA National Finals at the Warwick Showgrounds in late October.”

“There are a lot of northern competitors joining the APRA and I expect many Southern riders to fly north at weekends to compete in Queensland.

“We had record entries for the Nebo Rodeo which included 60 cowgirls in the breakaway roping.”

One of the form teams in team roping in the APRA is Ben Smith (Tamworth, NSW) and Brodie Moss (Yass, NSW).

The large number of nominations across the board is an indication many competitors are chasing a top-15 spot in their respective events to book a spot in the national finals on October 27-31.

“There will be a lot of good saddle bronc horses from Gill Brothers and Garry McPhee on the Northern Run which increases the rider interest in the run.”

The final rodeo this season will be on August 28 at Capella in Central Queensland giving riders their last chance to secure a top-15 spot.

Iker said there was also a lot of interest in the battle for rookie titles for riders in their first full season in an event.

“It is nearly as hard to win a rookie title as a pro tour title in the APRA,” Iker said.

Due to COVID-19, prizemoney from 2021 is being added to 2020 prizemoney in the tallies for finals qualification.

APRA Rodeo program

June 26: Emerald Rodeo

July 9: Gracemere Timed Events Rodeo

July 17: Taroom Rodeo

July 23: Bowen Xtreme Broncs

July 24: Charters Towers Rodeo

July 31: Richmond Let’s Talk Xtreme Broncs and Steer Wrestling Mania

July 31: Richmond Rodeo