A NEW rodeo facility at the property Lazy Acres at Alton Downs will be used for a full rodeo for the first time on December 31-January 1.

Two separate rodeos will be held at the property which is 15 minutes drive west of Rockhampton.

Shane Iker is the current all around cowboy leader in Australian Professional Rodeo Association standings and will enjoy the chance to attend a rodeo in his home area.

He will compete in all three timed events. Shane will join with Liam Davison in team roping while his son Jordan will compete with his regular partner Brenton Bell, a combination of young guns destined for greatness in rodeo.

Shane’s wife Jorja will be nominating for the barrel race and breakaway roping after winning the breakaway roping pro tour title two years ago before taking a break for the birth of their son Mason.

She is now back on the circuit and almost certain to push strongly for a top-15 finish and Australian championship qualification next year.

Shane expects the cream of competitors from Queensland to be at the Alton Downs Double Dip despite the event being at the same time as the Christmas Run in the southern states.

“Some riders will compete down south, fly to Alton Downs for the two rodeos and then fly back to compete in the second half of the Christmas Run,” Shane said.

Shane is considering heading down south after Alton Downs but won’t be competing in the early Christmas Run rodeo starting at Myrtleford in Victoria on December 26.

He expects bumper nominations for Alton Downs, especially as riders have the chance to compete in the first full rodeo at the Lazy Acres rodeo facility.

“It is a great facility with a hill on one side for spectators. A bar stands over the arena on the other side with a long bar made from iron bark timber,” Shane said.

Bucking stock for the rodeo are being provided by Upper Horton (NSW) contractors Gill Brothers.

Shane said the cream of rough stock riders from Queensland would be at Alton Downs.

Some of the likely starters are Wandoan pair David Worsfold (bareback), Cameron Webster (saddle bronc), Dingo bull rider Ryan Storey, Sonny Schafferius from Dysart who will test his skills on the back of a bull and Springsure saddle bronc rider Allan Powell.

APRA Program: December 5 – Rosewood (NSW); December 26 – Myrtleford (Vic) Golden Spurs Rodeo; December 27 – Carrieton (SA); December 31-January 1 – Alton Downs (Qld) Double Dip; January 1 ­– Tumbarumba (NSW) 71^st Rodeo; January 2 – Yarrawonga (Vic); January 8 – Finley (NSW); January 9 – Beechworth (Vic), Carrick (Tas) Bull Ride and Rodeo Spectacular.

More information APRA 07 4661 8183