CENTRAL QUEESNLAND/NORTHERN NSW BATTLES

This weekend, the Australian Professional Rodeo Association has two rodeos, Millmerran in South Queensland and Cranbourne in Victoria on Saturday.

Reigning APRA all around cowgirl titleholder Wendy Caban, of Moree, will contest the breakaway roping and barrel race at Millmerran.

Her sister in law Leanne Caban, of Emerald, will also compete.

Both will be aiming to win to boost their chances of qualifying for both their events in the National Finals Rodeo at the Gold Coast in June.

Only the top-15 in each event, as at April 30 this year, will make it to the finals.

Leanne is currently sixth in breakaway roping standings and Wendy ninth in barrel race so both are likely finalists in one event.

At present, Leanne is ranked 20^th in the barrel race and Wendy outside of the top-20 in breakaway roping.

Wendy needs to boost her spot in the standings as she must contest both events at the finals to be eligible to defend her all-around cowgirl title.

Their husbands, Troy from Moree, and Emerald rider Dale, also need prize money in team roping to ensure they can ride in the finals at the Gold Coast Convention Centre.

The Mara brothers from Bouldercombe in Central Queensland will compete in the bull ride at the Woodford and Millmerran rodeos this weekend.

Jason is originally from Cloncurry and won at his hometown rodeo last year.

He is in a field of 27 for the $6000 open bull ride on Friday night (March 1) at Woodford near Caboolture.

The Woodford Bull Ride will be one of the three richest in the Australian Professional Rodeo Association this year.

Jason will face some of the toughest opposition this weekend from his brother Troy, a past APRA title winner.

With the top-15 qualifying for the APRA National Finals Rodeo in June, Troy has the perfect opportunity at Woodford to move higher up with standings.

With two months of the season to go, Troy is in 16^th spot.

Lyons, Victoria, rider Ian Molan is ranked fourth in the APRA and will be one of the favourites for Woodford.

Past APRA title winner David Kennedy, of Kyogle, has nominated along with Beaudesert rider Jared Borghero who is in 18^th spot in the standings.

The Millmerran Rodeo on Saturday has attracted 205 nominations and will include all eight championship events.

The majority of the bull riders from Woodford on Friday night will make the trip to Millmerran on Saturday for another chance to win money at a championship points rodeo.

APRA program: March 1 Woodford Bull Ride (Qld); March 2 Millmerran Show Rodeo (Qld), Cranbourne (Vic) ; March 8 Kyabram (Vic); March 9 Merrijig (Vic); March 10 Gowrie Park (Tas), Chiltern (Vic); March 23 Preston (Tas), Comet (Qld) Benefit Rodeo; March 29 Fielders Great Western Rodeo (Vic), Roma Bull Ride; March 30 Omeo (Vic), Emerald (Qld); March 31 Buchan (Vic), Daly Waters (NT), Roma (Qld); April 1 Lang Lang (Vic).
More information from APRA office on 07 4661 8183

Photos Courtesy of:
Kenyon Sports Photos
Frenchs Rodeo Photos