CQ AND DD/MARANOA RODEO SUCCESS

Attached are photos of Jason Crawford and Jamie Howlett | www.dephotos.com.au

COWBOYS from Dingo and Roma have taken the early lead in two of the rough stock events in the Australian Professional Rodeo Association standings.

Both have another chance of securing early season prizemoney when all roads will lead to Collinsville for the Bowen River Rodeo this weekend.  (June 7-8)

There are 200 nominations for the Bowen River Rodeo.

Crawford hails from Dingo in Central Queensland and won at Nebo with a score of 82, one ahead of Taroom rider Jeffrey Hay. Current APRA champion Peter Moffatt, of Augathalla and formerly of Millmerran was third.

There is interstate competition at most rodeos and that was the case at Nebo with Heath Chalmers, of Beverfod, Victoria, was fourth in saddle bronc. Crawford and Hay have both nominated for Bowen River in a field which also includes class Emerald cowboy Clayton Braden.

Roma rider Jamie Howlett won the bareback at Nebo with a score of 81 from Wandoan star David Worsfold and both will be making the trek to Collinsville this weekend.

Jack Henley won the bull ride at Nebo and will face tough opposition on Saturday from Dysart rider Sonny Schafferius who was second in the aggregate at last month’s National Finals Rodeo at Caboolture.

Schafferius won round 1 at Caboolture and was third in round 4, one of only two riders to make time on two of their four bulls at the finals.

Former Warwick rider Lachlan Slade, who now calls New South Wales home, also competed at the NFR, and will be one of the favourites in the bull ride at Bowen River along with Dingo cowboy Ryan Storey.

After two wins at Nebo, Emerald rider Shane Kenny heads the chances in the timed events for cowboys.

There are 22 nominations, including Shane’s wife Leanne, who is one of the favourites, for the open barrel race. Eighteen girls have nominated for the junior event.

NEBO WINNERS: Open events Saddle bronc Jason Crawford (Dingo)

Bull ride Jack Henley (Nebo)

Bareback bronc ride Jamie Howlett (Roma)

Rope and tie Shane Kenny (Emerald)

Steer wrestling Kacey Kenny (Emerald)

Team roping Shane Kenny (Emerald) and Brendan Kenny (Clermont)

Barrel race Jill Lyons (Gracemere)

Breakaway roping Tamara Knox (Ebenezer)

APRA Rodeo Program: June 7-8 Bowen River; July 19 Taroom; July 26 Longreach; July 27 Richmond; August 1-3 Cloncurry; August 8-10 Mt Isa; August 15 Daly Waters (NT); August 16 Katherine (NT); August 23 Darwin (NT).

More information from APRA on 07 4661 8183