WENDY CABAN

MOREE rider Wendy Caban is placed fourth in the all around cowgirl standings after the first five months of the Australian Professional Rodeo Association season.

Caban won the barrel racing title at the National Finals Rodeo earlier this season, her sixth title win in the past five years in barrel racing, breakaway roping or all around.

She is currently in fifth place in the barrel race and 18th in breakaway roping in the APRA.

She will head the Northern New South Wales contingent at a rodeo dubbed Australia’s most famous at Warwick on October 24-27.

Some riders in the APRA will use The M Group Friday Night Emerald Rodeo (October 4) this weekend to fine tune their form for Warwick.

Gracemere rider Jared Borghero has drawn Holiday Inn in the bull ride.

He is a champion on the back of a bucking bull and has won one buckle as Australian Professional Rodeo Association Bull Fighter of the Year.

There are 243 nominations for the Emerald Rodeo which starts at 5.30pm Friday at the Emerald Showgrounds.

The 18 nominations for the bull ride include Dingo rider Ryan Storey who has drawn the bull Orange Juice and Gracemere cowboy Jason Mara who hopes to ride Vendetta for the required eight seconds.

Rodeo stock for the event will be provided by Gill Brothers from Upper Horton in New South Wales and Destiny Cattle Co from Emerald.

Two of the favourites for the saddle bronc ride at Emerald are Wandoan rider Cameron Webster who has drawn Snakes Alive and Emerald cowboy Brendan Breiner on Poison Arrow.

In the bareback bronc ride, David Worsfold, of Wandoan, will be able to use a lot of his experience from the North American circuit when he jumps on Harlem Shuffle.

As has been the case at all APRA rodeos, there is strong support for cowgirl events with 31 in the barrel race and 27 in breakaway roping.

Two of the visiting riders to watch will be Jorja Watkins, of Springsure, and Leslie Moore, of Denman, New South Wales.

Emerald cowboy Shane Kenny heads a strong contingent of Central Queensland cowboys in the timed events.

The greatest chance of an interstate victory will rest with Victorian star Terry Evison in any of his events, rope and tie, steer wrestling or team roping.

PROGRAM: October 4 - Emerald (Qld); October 6 - Marrabel (SA); October 19 – Coolamon (NSW); October 24-27 Warwick (Qld).