Fourteen-year-old Taine and 11-year-old Thomas Nash will compete at the National Bushman’s Campdraft and Rodeo Association (ABCRA) finals for line honours in their pet event – the junior steer ride. 

Proud dad and former cowboy, Trevor Nash said the boys had worked hard all year competing across Australia in more than 60 rodeos this season.

“This is the third year running the two boys have made the national finals in the steer ride but so far, neither has placed.

“We decided as a family to really get behind them this              season as they are both in the last year of their respective age groups,” Nash said. 

“You can’t do it every year, as it’s a huge commitment in time and money, but this year we have certainly seen a lot of country and I’m just wrapped they are both on top of the leader board in both their age categories.” 

The Nash family have travelled from Mareeba in North Queensland to Bindoon and Mogumber in Western Australia and all over NSW as part of their most serious attempt yet at finishing ‘on top’ for the season. 

“There is so much tough competition at the nationals. 

“While the boys are currently first place in the overall                  standings for the 8 and under 11 and 11 and under 14 age groups, they still have two rounds to get through in Tamworth.

“They’ve both got their heads screwed on and are both quietly competitive, it would be nice for them to end the season on a high note,” he said. 

Other local riders competing at the nationals include Heath Nichols who is in first place in the overall all round cowboy category, leading the rope and tie, third in the steer wrestling and 10th in the team roping with fellow rodeo competitor Andrew Clifford running eigth in the bareback.

For the ladies, Michelle Roots is leading the way coming third in the overall all round cowgirl category, second in steer undecorating and breakaway roping with Emily Brookes close behind in fifth. 

Youngster Polly Gardner is in third place in the juvenile barrel race and fourth in the junior all round cowgirls.

In the campdrafting, Allan  Young on Acres Liberty Beau is leading the open campdraft and sitting in sixth place in the all round campdraft horse category. 

Malcolm Kennedy is fifth in the open campdraft with his mare Jabell Shekera Spin. 

James Keyte is ninth on Relic in the novice campdraft while Fred Miles’ horse Request is sitting in third place nationally for the maiden campdraft. 

Wade Miles and Allan Young have also both made it into the most successful rider category with Miles in fourth place and Young in eigth. 

In the juniors, Kate Schiffmann is in third place with Jorja Edwards in eigth in the junior campdraft 8 and under 13 and Justin Gillis is placed third in the encouragement draft standings.