IT WILL be a rider from Upper Horton against a horse from Upper Horton when the Australian Professional Rodeo Association rodeo train moves to Emerald on Saturday.
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After a highly successful pro rodeo at Tamworth last Saturday, the APRA focus will be on Emerald in Queensland this Saturday where there are 183 nominations in the eight championship events.
Upper Horton rider Matthew Makinson didn’t compete in Tamworth but returns to the back of the chutes at Emerald to start as favourite in the bareback.
In June, he won the bareback title at the National Finals Rodeo.
Looking at latest APRA standings, bareback has one of the strongest fields at Emerald, with four of the top six competing.
Makinson will jump on the Gill Brothers horse Drought Relief.
Gunnedah rider Wade Clifford is third in APRA standings and has drawn Peace Pipe at Emerald.
Their toughest opposition will come from fourth-placed David Worsfold, of Wandoan, on Kill Rust Paint.
Worsford has won many rodeos in the toughest competition of all, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, in America.
As with every rodeo in Central Queensland, there are outstanding nominations in both number and quality for timed events.
Two of the past four all around cowboy winners in the APRA, Shane Iker of Alton Downs, and Emerald cowboy Shane Kenny, have nominated in the three timed events for men.
Last weekend, Calvert (Qld) rider Jesse Townsend won the rope and tie in Tamworth and will make the trip north to Emerald.
Iker and Kenny will be two of the toughest opponents for Townsend along with Emerald riders Clancy Middleton and Brody Moss.
With the Tamworth rodeo over, most of the Northern New South Wales rodeo focus will move to the Moree Lions Club Spider on the Gwydir Rodeo on October 6 and the Narrabri Rodeo on October 13.
The Narrabri Rodeo is the last on the APRA program before the famous Warwick Rodeo on October 26-28 so is expected to attract a lot of competitors seeking a final hit-out before Warwick.
The Emerald Rodeo starts at 6pm Saturday.
TAMWORTH RESULTS: Ladies Barrel Race - Bianca Hertel; Junior Barrel Race - Jonty Raaen; Rope and Tie - Jesse Townsend; Team Roping - Paul Kenny and Glenn Perkins; Junior Team Roping - Luke Flanagan and Will Guilford; Steer Wrestling - William Day; Junior Steer Ride - Jackson Gill; Breakaway Roping - Kerry Turner; Junior Breakaway Roping - Jonty Raaen; Junior Rope and Tie - Stuart McGuire Spalding; Bull Ride - Lachlan Slade; Bareback - Fred Osman; Saddle Bronc - Cameron
Webster.
RODEO PROGRAM: September 22 Emerald Meng Tyres Blow Out Stampede (Qld); September 29 Nanango (Qld), Nebo (Qld); September 30 Rodeofest Meekatharra (WA), Marrabel (SA); October 5 Collarenebri (NSW); October 6 Hay (NSW), Moree Lions Club Spider on the Gwydir Rodeo (NSW); October 13 Narrabri; October 26-28 Warwick; November 2-3 Jimna Bull Ride; November 3 Melton Mowbray (Tas); November 10 Inglewood (Qld); November 17 Adelaide Hills.
More information from APRA on 07 4661 8183