THERE are 29 cowgirls heading to Clare in South Australia on Saturday (March 21) to contest the breakaway roping at an Australian Professional Rodeo Association rodeo.

South Australian trio Candy Michaelis (Lewiston), Renee Pearson (Eudunda) and Amanda Tielen (Eden Valley) are three of the favourites from the home state.

Stephanie Gard (Table Top, NSW) has won the past two titles in the APRA and will start as favourite.

Lockington (Vic) rider Cherie O’Donoghue is in the field and will be hard to beat in breakaway roping and the barrel race. She is the most successful cowgirl in APRA history.

Her niece Shianne O’Donoghue-Kent (Bunyip, Vic) is the current APRA standings leader in the barrel race and will go into the event with plenty of confidence after an outstanding three months of success at New South Wales, Victoria and South Australian rodeos.

In the rough stock events, Tom Willoughby will hold many of the home state hopes in both the bull and bareback bronc ride.

Willoughby has been based in both South Australia and the Northern Territory during a career which has included success in rough stock and timed events.

Ben Hall from Tumbarumba (NSW) is another rider in both the bull ride and bareback bronc ride.

In timed events for cowboys, Lockington (Vic) rider Lee Kimber will be the favourite after moving up to third in APRA all around standings after major success in the past three months.

Some of the top-performing South Australian riders in timed events going into the Clare Rodeo are Allen Heath (Roseworthy), Daniel Pearson (Kapunda) and Kevin Reynolds (Kapunda).

There will be plenty of competition at Clare as riders chase prize money to boost their chances of a top-15 qualification for the Warwick Rodeo Australian Championships on October 22-25.

Riders will get credit for their performances on the pro tour as they will receive one point for each dollar won in the current season to kick-start their charge for a title in Warwick.

While the lowest rider to qualify for the finals can win a title, the riders at the top of the standings with the most points going into the final four rounds will have an advantage.

The first event at the Clare Rodeo will commence at 5:30pm, Saturday 14th March at Blyth Oval, Blyth.

APRA program

March 14 Clare (SA); March 21 Comet (Qld).

More information or requests for photos to APRA head office on 07 4661 8183.