APRA JEEP NATIONAL FINALS RODEO

TAMWORTH riders Greg Leys and Jeff Miller will be going for team roping titles as the best of the best in the Australian Professional Rodeo Association compete in the June 13-16 Jeep National Finals Rodeo at the Gold Coast Convention Centre.

Leys and his wife Phillipa were in top form early this month with a second place at the Beaudesert Rodeo behind Clancy Middleton, of Emerald, Queensland, and Nilma North, Victoria, rider Aaron Bookluck.

Middleton and Bookluck backed up a week later to win at Millmerran in a time of 5.97 seconds.

Greg Leys will join with Lurg, Victoria, cowboy Garry McPhee, a multiple team roping title winner, at the finals.

Miller has previously won team roping titles and will partner Alison rider Peter Young.

Other Northern New South Wales riders in the field include Troy and Wendy Caban, of Moree.

Troy will join with Johnny Osborne, of Warwick, the most successful team roper in APRA history, while Wendy will be in a team with Rockhampton rider Cameron Milner.

Despite their recent top form, Middleton and Bookluck will be in different teams at the finals.

Bookluck will again join with Springsure (Qld) rider Brendan Kenny as they endeavour to retain the title they won last year on the back of wins in rounds 1, 4 and 5.

Middleton and fellow Emerald rider Brody Moss won round 3 last year in 4.8 seconds, the fastest time at the finals, and have teamed up again.

Two to watch in the finals will be another Emerald team, Shane Kenny and Grant Hanrahan. Kenny has won more all around and individual titles than any other cowboy and has qualified for his three events this year, team roping, rope and tie, and steer wrestling.

Four rodeos in Queensland remain before the NFR, Bundaberg Show Rodeo on May 31, Maleny Bull Ride on June 1, Bowen River Rodeo on June 8-9 and Gayndah Rodeo on June 9.

Tickets for any of the five performances at the Jeep National Finals Rodeo at the Gold Coast Convention Centre available from Ticketek.

TEAM ROPING TEAMS: Garry McPhee and Greg Leys; Aaron Bookluck and Brendan Kenny; Jeff Miller and Peter Young; Brody Moss and Clancy Middleton; Shane Kenny and Grant Hanrahan; JR Marsh and Terry Evison; Troy Caban and Johnny Osborne; Mark Knox and Dale Caban; Lee Kimber and Glen Perkins; Wendy Caban and Cameron Milner; Corey Heath and Jacob Gaffey; Daniel West and Amber West; Casey Lillyman and Brenton Bell; Kym Michaelis and Kenny Flanagan; Norman Stagg and Jesse Townsend.

OPEN WINNERS: Beaudesert: Saddle bronc – Cameron Webster 75 points, bull ride Fraser Babbington 77, bareback Clint Burton 83, rope and tie James McGuire-Spalding 11.2 seconds, steer wrestling Marcus Jones 6.25, team roping Clancy Middleton and Aaron Bookluck 6.45, barrel race Tammy Woodall 16.505, breakaway roping Jorja Watkins and Sharon McGuire, equal on 2.55.

Millmerran: Saddle bronc – Denny Swadling 81, bull ride Kurt Shepherd 82, bareback David Worsfold and Jake Marshall, equal on 76, rope and tie Adam Purse 10.5, steer wrestling Gavin Walker 5.4, team roping Clancy Middleton and Aaron Bookluck 5.97, barrel race Calla Matthews 17.369, breakaway roping Cheyenne Whitwell 2.7.