FIRST NT RIDER CROWNED A CHAMPION

Photo of Darcy McBean by Mike Kenyon – www.kenyonsportsphotos.com.au

KATHERINE bull rider Darcy McBean is the first cowboy from the Northern Territory to win an Australian Professional Rodeo Association title.

McBean, 20, didn’t just win the title in Warwick, he scooped the pool after going into the four National Finals rounds in Warwick ranked fourth.

He won the APRA title buckle for the open Bull Ride, the APRA finals average and was the only rider to make time on three bulls at the APRA National Finals at the Warwick Rodeo.

McBean also won round 2 with a score of 78 on the Gill Brothers bull Masterpiece.

He was third in round 1 with 79 and third in round 3 with 75 for a total of 232, 63 points ahead of average runner-up Troy Wilkinson from Upper Horton in New South Wales.

McBean was only thrown off in round 3 on the Saturday night when the bulls threw 14 out of 15 riders. The only cowboy to make time on the Saturday was Jason O’Hearn from Tamworth who scored 80 on Holiday Inn.

The Katherine rider was one of two from the Northern Territory to compete in the bull ride finals at Warwick.

McBean now has 11 months to record placings on the APRA circuit and make next year’s National Finals.

Due to the deal last year to move the finals to Warwick on the last weekend in October, the APRA season has been extended to September 30 next year which means competitors also have Cloncurry and Mt Isa rodeos next year to press their top-15 claims and a position in another finals series.