WANDOAN PAIR ON TOP OF APRA STANDINGS

Wandoan pair on top of APRA standings

GOING on its size, Wandoan could lay claim to be one of the most successful rodeo towns in the nation with two riders at the top of the standings in the Australian Professional Rodeo Association.

Cameron Webster, of Wandoan, has retained his lead in saddle bronc standings from former Millmerran cowboy Peter Moffatt.

NSW rider Cody Angland has moved from eighth to third after performing strongly during the Christmas Run of rodeos in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.

Wandoan cowboy David Worsfold has a clear lead in bareback bronc ride standings and is odds on to win the pro tour title for most money won in the season to April 30.

Miles rider Clint Burton is third after performing strongly at last year’s National Finals Rodeo (NFR) at the Gold Coast.

Worsfold has enjoyed success on the tough North American circuit and will go into this year’s NFR at the Queensland State Equestrian Centre at Caboolture on May 1-4 as the favourite.

The Whitwell siblings from Mt Tarampa are in the top-five in their respective events and almost assured of NFR qualification.

Cheyenne Whitwell is third in breakaway roping and her brother Thomas fifth in open team roping heeler standings after success on the Christmas Run.

The top 15 in all eight APRA championship events will qualify for the NFR.

Plenty of Queensland riders will be heading interstate in quest of championship points in the next three months with only three of the final 26 APRA rodeos for the season in Queensland.

The Millmerran Show Rodeo is on March 1 with stock from Warwick contractor Frank Biddle and Gill Brothers from Upper Horton in northern NSW.

The remaining Queensland rodeos for the season are in Central Queensland, the Comet Benefit Rodeo on April 5, Roma Bull Ride April 18, Roma Rodeo 20 April and the Emerald Rodeo on April 19 during the Easter weekend.

APRA Standings leaders: All around cowboy Shane Kenny (Emerald), saddle bronc Cameron Webster (Wandoan), bull ride Fraser Babbington (Beaudesert), bareback David Worsfold (Wandoan), rope and tie Shane Kenny (Emerald), steer wrestling Shane Iker (Alton Downs), team roping header Clancy Middleton (Emerald), team roping heeler Aaron Bookluck (Nilma North), all around cowgirl and barrel race Nichole Fitzpatrick (Willow Tree), breakaway roping Jorja Watkins (Alton Downs).