TWO riders from NSW, including Murrurundi’s Jo Caldwell, are on top of Australian Professional Rodeo Association (APRA) standings leading into the Northern Run.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The first rodeos of the Northern Run are at Emerald on July 7-8 when the Junior National Finals Rodeo is held in conjunction with Emerald Rodeo with all APRA Championship events on July 8.
With only three months of the current season to go, Emerald (Qld) cowboy Shane Kenny is the only rider at the top of the standings on more than one list.
Past World Rookie Champion Brad Pierce from Tooma in NSW heads the saddle bronc standings in the first year he is concentrating on just one event.
In past years, Pierce has competed in both the saddle bronc and bull ride.
Murrurundi cowgirl Caldwell leads the barrel racing standings from Victorian star Shianne O’Donoghue-Kent.
Caldwell has been the leader most of the season and will get the chance at the Warwick Rodeo National Finals on October 26-29 to win her first open title in the APRA.
O’Donoghue-Kent captured the All Around Cowgirl crown last year at Warwick and is at the top of the standings this season in the all around from experienced Victorian rider Cherie O’Donoghue.
Past national champion Aaron Bookluck from Nilma North in Victoria has a convincing advantage in team roping heeler standings.
In the bareback bronc ride, Victorian cowboy Ben Hall has a clear lead over David Worsfold from Wandoan in Queensland.
Kenny heads the All Around Cowboy standings from Victorian rider Terry Evison and is on top of the rope and tie with Townsville’s Campbell Hodson second.
The Queensland rider with the most impressive lead in APRA standings is Caboolture’s Lachlan O’Neill who has won almost twice as much money, in steer wrestling, as Scone star Heath Nichols, who is second but a strong title chance.
All of the leaders are assured of top-15 finishes and qualification for the National Finals in Warwick in late October but there will be plenty of competition during the Northern Run for top-15 spots.
APRA members are now in the middle of a month-long break leading up to the start of the Northern Run at Emerald on July 7-8.
The second weekend of action on the Northern Run will be the Taroom Rodeo on July 22 and then riders will head to Richmond on July 29 and the Flinders River Hughenden Timed Event Rodeo on July 30.
The Curry Merry Muster Xtreme Bulls are on August 3 and the Curry Merry Muster Rodeo at the Cloncurry Equestrian Centre on August 4-5.
More than 600 nominations are then expected for the Mt Isa Rodeo at Buchanan Park on August 11-13.