BEAUDESERT BULL RIDER

BEAUDESERT bull rider Fraser Babbington has done everything in the Australian Professional Rodeo Association – win titles, break records and win the top rodeos in the nation.

Now he has the chance to go for the bull riding treble at three rodeos in Victoria this weekend, Kyabram on Friday, Merrijig on Saturday and Chiltern on Sunday. (March 7-9)

The former New Zealand cowboy will go into the Chiltern Rodeo with plenty of confidence after setting a new bull ride record of 93 points on McPhee Rodeo Co's No Smokin at Chiltern in 2008.

His record of 93 is one point more than the APRA saddle bronc record and three more than the bareback record.

He won the first round and final at the richest rodeo in Australia at Mt Isa in August with a two-round score of 171, four more than the runner up.

Victorian rodeo organisers have taken advantage of the long weekend to put on three rodeos.

Babbington is one of 18 bull riders nominated for each rodeo as competitors aim for placings to boost their chances of qualification in the top 15 for the APRA National Finals Rodeo at the Queensland State Equestrian Centre on May 1-4 at Caboolture.

After an outstanding 2013, Babbington won the APRA bull riding title and is a runaway leader this season in the battle for the pro tour title.

He will compete against former world rookie bull ride and all around champion Brad Pierce in all three rodeos.

Pierce is from Tooma in New South Wales.

Cooyar rider Jack McArthur, who has nominated for the three Victorian rodeos this weekend, is on target to qualify for the NFR after winning the Bull Ride at Millmerran Show on the weekend.

Babbington, McArthur and Sam Champ, of Merdale, are the three Queensland bull riders heading to Victoria this weekend. Dingo rider Ryan Storey is 5th in bull ride standings and Kurt Shepherd (Atherton) 11th but neither are competing in Victoria this weekend.

Emerald cowboy Shane Kenny has nominated in timed events at all three Victorian rodeos as he seeks to maintain his lead in the battle for another APRA all around pro tour title for most money won in the current season which ends on April 30.

There are 44 nominations for the barrel race at the first Victorian rodeo this weekend at Kyabram including Calla Matthews, of Alton Downs, who is in the top 15 in both the barrel race and breakaway roping. Numbers are similar in cowgirl events at all three rodeos.

APRA Bull Ride Standings

1 Fraser Babbington (Qld)

2 Troy Wilkinson (NSW)

3 Rhys Angland (NSW)

4 Gerard Oversby (WA)

5 Ryan Storey (Qld)

6 Lachlan Slade (NSW)

7 Sean Lynch (NSW)

8 Jack McArthur (Qld)

9 Tim Amey (NSW)

10 Brad Pierce (NSW)

11 Kurt Shephard (Qld)

12 Toby Collins (Vic)

13 Tom Willoughby (NT)

14 Charlie Colless (NSW)

15 Will Purcell (Vic).

Qld Rodeo Program: April 5 Comet Benefit Rodeo; April 18 Roma Bull Ride; April 19 Emerald; April 20 Roma; May 1-4 National Finals Rodeo at Caboolture.

Tickets for the National Finals Rodeo on May 1-4 at the QSEC at Caboolture can be purchased by going on the website www.qsec.com.au or by phoning 0754333222.

More information from APRA on 07 46618183