NORTH QLDERS RIDING HOT

NORTH Queensland riders are starting to fly the flag for the deep north in the Australian Professional Rodeo Association.

While much of the Queensland success in recent years has evolved around Central and South Queensland riders, a number of northern cowboys are now stamping their class on the circuit.

Former Western Australian rider Deon Lane now calls Mt Isa home and was in familiar territory when he won the bareback bronc ride at Mt Isa to put him in the top three in the standings.

Proserpine rider Roy Dunn and Tolga star Cody Teece were the top two in the bull ride at the Mt Isa Rodeo in early August which increased Dunn’s lead at the top of the standings.

Atherton cowboy Kurt Shephard was the only rider at the National Finals Rodeo at Caboolture in May to stay on more than two bulls.

He rode time on four bulls to win the title and double the score of his nearest rival who only stayed on two bulls for eight seconds.

North Queensland was put on the rodeo map when Sarina rider Troy Dunn, uncle of Roy Dunn, won the top rodeo in the world at Calgary in Canada.

Troy was the rider with the most success making time on legendary bucking bull Chainsaw.

The best of the timed event stars from the north are Hughenden couple Clancy and Tenielle Middleton who recently moved north from Emerald. Members of the Lillyman family from Richmond always perform well at rodeos in the north.

After rodeos at Katherine and Darwin in the Northern Territory rodeo action now moves to Tamworth Pro Rodeo on September 20.