HALL CURRENT BAREBACK LEADER

Photo of Ben Hall by Dave Ethell – www.dephotos.com.au

TUMBARUMBA bareback rider Ben Hall is a runaway leader in the Australian Professional Rodeo Association standings with only rodeos to go at Moree, Albury and Narrabri this season.

Before the start of the Easter run of rodeos across the nation, Hall had a significant lead over runner-up Parrish May from Queensland in bareback standings.

Hall won three bareback rides in late March and split first in another so will certainly end the season on top of the standings.

He won at Deniliquin (NSW), Great Western (Vic), Buchan (Vic) and was equal first at Omeo (Vic) with fellow New South Wales rider Cody Angland.

The Tumbarumba cowboy will be one of the favourites at the Moree Show Rodeo on April 22, the Ettamogah Pub Rodeo at Albury on April 24 and the Narrabri Show Rodeo on April 29.

The three rodeos in New South Wales will be the last in the current APRA season which ends on April 30.

Some riders will head to the three rodeos in a last ditch attempt to qualify in the top-15 for the national finals in October while for others at the top of the standings like Hall, it is the chance to boost the carryover points they will take into The Warwick Rodeo National Finals at the Warwick Showgrounds on October 27-30.

The finals will be held over four rounds but riders will get points based on prize money won in the season to April 30.

While the leaders at the end of the season have the inside running for a title buckle at the national finals, the format is designed that even the 15^th placed qualifier can win the title if they place in each of the rounds of the finals.

APRA PROGRAM: April 15 Warwick Heritage Week Concretors Bull Ride; April 22 Moree Show Rodeo; April 24 Ettamogah Pub Rodeo, Albury; April 29 Narrabri Show Rodeo; May 1 St George (Qld) Show Rodeo; May 7 Nebo Rodeo; May 27 Bundaberg Show Rodeo.

More information 07 4661 8183.