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CAN Emerald cowboy Shane Kenny win his 15^th successive all around cowboy title in the Australian Professional Rodeo Association at the National Finals Rodeo at the Queensland State Equestrian Centre at Caboolture on May 1-4.

Titles in all eight championship events in the APRA will be contested over four rounds at Caboolture.

Kenny won his first all around title in 1992 and has twice won four in succession, 1994-1997, and 1999-2002.

Such has been his dominance, no other cowboy has won more than one all around title since Kenny’s first success in 1992.

This year, his toughest opposition will come from Alton Downs rider Shane Iker who won the all around, steer wrestling and team roping heeler titles in 2008.

Riders must qualify for the finals in two events to qualify for the finals but have a greater chance if they make it in three events.

Both Kenny and Iker compete in rope and tie, steer wrestling and team roping. Iker is in the top five in APRA standings in all three events so has form on the board.

Kenny has won 12 rope and tie titles, three in steer wrestling and two in team roping for a total of 31 title buckles at the National Finals Rodeo.

One of the young guns of the sport is 20-year-old Thomas Whitwell, of Mt Tarampa in the Lockyer Valley.

Whitwell works as a tree feller and is set to compete in the finals in the rope and tie, and team roping. He will need to win rounds in both to challenge for his first all around title.

While the all around title is predominately won by a timed event star, Maldon (Victoria) rider Toby Collins has qualified for the finals in saddle bronc, bareback and bull rides and is a genuine chance of the title. The last rough stock rider to win the all around title was Wantabadgery (NSW) rider Rhys Angland in 2011-2012.

Rodeo Program

May 1-2 (day time) Junior National Finals Rodeo at Caboolture

May 1-4 National Finals Rodeo at Caboolture.

NFR Session times: May 1 6pm; May 2 6pm; May 3 4pm; May 4 11am

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