ALL roads will lead to Central Queensland in the next fortnight as Queensland riders make a last ditch effort to qualify for The Warwick Rodeo National Finals.

The top 15 in the eight Australian Professional Rodeo Association events to April 30 will qualify for the national finals in October but for Queensland riders, their last chances are in the next fortnight in Central Queensland unless they plan to travel to Victoria and New South Wales for rodeos in late March and April.

The Comet Benefit Rodeo on Saturday (March 19) has attracted 219 nominations, including 34 in the saddle bronc. There are 16 riders in open saddle bronc and 18 in second division.

Going on APRA standings, the open favourite is second ranked Michael Maher, of Warwick, a winner of the event at the past two Mt Isa Rodeos.

Greg Hamilton (Mitchell), Allan Powell (Springsure) and Cameron Webster (Wandoan) are three of the biggest threats to Maher at Comet.

One of the biggest battles in the next fortnight will be for the all around standings lead.

Currently Yeppoon rider Errol Frain is on top but Victorian pair Lee Kimber and Terry Evison are in striking distance along with Emerald cowboy Shane Kenny.

Kenny is third but last year won all three events he contested at the national finals so has the ability and form to win multiple events at the one rodeo. He currently leads the APRA standings in his best event, rope and tie.

While the lead in the all around is more about bragging rights, APRA members will be after the most possible placings in the next six weeks to finish in the top 15 and qualify for the national finals in Warwick in October.

Finishing as high as possible on the standings is also a plus with riders taking carryover points into the four rounds of the national finals for their tilt at a finals victory.

The APRA has designed the finals format so even the 15^th placed rider in the standings can win a title but they will need a placing in all four rounds in Warwick to be a realistic chance.

The first of three rodeos in Central Queensland is on Saturday at Comet. There are good nominations across the board, including 24 nominations in the barrel race and 21 in ladies breakaway roping.

After Comet, rodeo action will return to Central Queensland at Easter at Emerald with the Destiny Downs Good Friday Fiesta in timed events and then a championship rodeo with all eight APRA events on Easter Saturday, the Emerald Easter Sunflower  Festival Rodeo.

Emerald rider Shane Kenny is the rope and tie leader in APRA standings and will compete at Comet on Saturday.

Roma rodeo action will also hot up at Easter with the Roma Easter in the Country Bullride on Good Friday and a rodeo with all eight championship events on the Sunday.

The Comet Benefit Rodeo starts at 6:00pm on Saturday, March 19, at the Comet Rodeo Grounds. Tickets will be on sale at the gate.

RODEO PROGRAM: March 19 Comet Benefit Rodeo (Qld); March 25 Destiny Downs Good Friday Fiesta at Emerald (Qld), Roma Easter in the Country Bullride (Qld), Great Western (Vic); March 26 Emerald Easter Sunflower Festival Rodeo (Qld), Omeo (Vic), Deniliquin Under The Stars Rodeo (NSW); March 27 Roma (Qld), Buchan (Vic), Tocumwal (NSW); March 28 Lang Lang (Vic); April 2 Corryong (Vic); April 22 Moree Show Rodeo (NSW); April 24 Ettamogah Pub, Albury (NSW); April 29 Narrabri Show Rodeo (NSW).

More information APRA 07 4661 8183