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For the second time in three weeks, Willow Tree (NSW) roper Heath Nichols will be in Queensland for an Australian Professional Rodeo Association event.

He will head the interstate contingent at the Taroom Rodeo on July 17.

Nichols has been to only two APRA rodeos this year and has wins in the rope and tie at Nebo and Emerald in Queensland.

In late June, he was timed at nine seconds in winning at Emerald on Jelly Bean, a roping horse he borrowed from Shane Kenny.

The hometown winners at Emerald were led by Timmy Hoskins, who won the steer wrestling in 4.8 seconds.

Emerald father-and-son team Shane and Jayden Kenny were equal first in team roping in 4.85 seconds.

Current APRA all around titleholder Campbell Hodson, of Emerald, joined with Liam Davison, to also share first in team roping along with Ben Smith and Ty Pokarier.

Other Central Queensland winners included Mt Morgan barrel racer Zara Benjamin who won with a time of 16.3 seconds.

Blackwater saddle bronc rider Jack McKenzie won his event with a score of 75.

Junior team roping winners were Jayden Kenny (header) and Garrett Hanrahan (heeler), of Rockhampton.

Nichols enjoys the timed events arena at Emerald which allows riders to go for fast times.

While he won this year with nine seconds, he has a career best 8.1 seconds at Emerald.

Nichols won a rookie title in the APRA in rope and tie and is hoping to win his first national title in the professional ranks this year.

“I have rodeoed my whole life and love to travel to Queensland and get away from the cold,” he said.

While he flew north for Nebo and Emerald rodeos, Nichols and close mate Ryley Gibb will drive to Taroom for the July 17 Rodeo.

“It is only an eight-hour drive to Taroom,” he said.

“I hope to ride Jelly Bean again.”

In between work, Gibb travels 75kms to Willow Tree so he and Nichols can practice three to four times a week.

“Practice is everything in rodeo timed events,” he said.

The Emerald Rodeo was the first on the Northern Run of 12 rodeos.

Large nominations are expected for the second rodeo of the run at Taroom.

Wandoan rider David Worsfold won the bareback bronc ride at Emerald with a score of 78 and will start favourite for the event at Taroom, the closest rodeo to his home property, on July 17.

Emerald winners:

Saddle bronc – Jack McKenzie 75 points

Bull ride – Ethan McConnell 83

Bareback bronc rider – David Worsfold 78

Rope and tie – Heath Nicholls 9.0 seconds

Steer Wrestling – Timmy Hoskins 4.8

Team Roping – Ben Smith and Ty Pokarier, Campbell Hodson and Liam Davison, Jayden and Shane Kenny – all 4.85 seconds

Barrel race - Zara Benjamin 16.3

Breakaway – Joebie McPhee 2.1

Junior Breakaway – Toby Hale 2.2

Junior Barrel Race – Layney Deguara

Junior Team Roping Header – Jayden Kenny