Tom Knight: Manilla saddle bronc gun to contest Australian Professional Rodeo Association national finals

"I have dreamed of winning the pro title since before I was competing," said the 26-year-old, who heads the standings for the finals.

Knight won the first round of the Warwick rodeo in October, before being thrown from his horse in the event's final.

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That horse is Cowboy Candy, which he hopes to draw at the national finals (January 21-29).

"I don't like a horse walking away with a win," Knight said. "I would love to have another shot at riding Cowboy Candy."

Knight is one of three Knight brothers who made saddle bronc their main event.

Sam is the eldest of the trio and has retired from rodeo, but Tom and younger brother Mick are still competing.

Looking ahead to the national finals, Knight reckons his toughest opposition will come from Mick, Mitchell rider Greg Hamilton and Victorian cowboy Heath Chalmers.

"Greg, Heath and I had a good battle during the 2021 season at the top of the standings," he said. "Greg led towards the end of the season before I went round him."

He added: "When I started out, Greg helped me a lot in saddle bronc."

This year Knight had his best rodeo at Richmond, Queensland - winning the final and the average.

He also won the first round of Australia's richest rodeo, at Mt Isa, in August. However, he missed his mark-out in the final and failed to score.

"I have only missed my mark-out five times in my career, the one at Mt Isa was my first for three years," he said.

Knight is confident he has a few good years in rodeo ahead of him.

"I have no thoughts of retirement," he said.

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