Victorians flock to SA rodeo and win

MT Wallace rider Jay Marsh has led the Victorian winners at the Wilmington Rodeo in South Australia.

The Victorians were in the money last weekend and will now do it all on Saturday (February 6) when, for rodeo competitors, all roads will lead to South Australia for eight championship events at Peterborough from 6pm Saturday at the rodeo grounds.

Marsh won the rope and tie in 4.25 seconds last Saturday at Wilmington and backed up to win the team roping in combination with Tony Woodall in a time of 8.2 seconds.

In cowgirl events, the cowgirl winners were Mt Wallace breakaway roper Jessica Layton and Table Top (NSW) barrel racer Ellie Gard.

Lockington (Vic) rider Lee Kimber recorded placings in his three timed events to continue his strong form from last year’s Australian Championships. Kimber was second the rope and tie, third in team roping and four in steer wrestling.

Strathalbyn (SA) rider David Stacey won the two rounds of the saddle bronc ride at the 50^th anniversary rodeo at Wilmington and was first in the aggregate at the Australian Professional Rodeo Association event.

To cap a great weekend for his family, his brother Leslie was second in round 2 of saddle bronc and third overall.

There are almost 200 nominations for the Peterborough Rodeo, including 28 in the ladies barrel race.

The rodeo starts at 6pm at the Peterborough Rodeo Grounds on Saturday. (Feb 6)

  Alice Springs rider Tom Willoughby split first in the bareback at Wilmington and will be back at Peterborough chasing more prize money in both bareback and the bull ride.

He has drawn the bull Down To Earth in the open bull ride and will be aiming for an eight-second scoring ride.

There are 21 nominations in the second-division bull ride which shows there are plenty of young men keen to compete in one of the most extreme events in Australian sport.

RODEO PROGRAM: February 6 Peterborough (SA), XXXX Gold Xtreme Bulls at Penrith (NSW); February 13 Ballarat (Vic), Ross (Tas); February 20 Hay Twilight Rodeo (NSW), Lillico (Tas), XXXX Gold Xtreme Bulls Dubbo (NSW); February 27 Millmerran Show Rodeo (Qld), Narrandera (NSW), Powranna Bull Ride and Rodeo (Tas), Whittlesea (Vic).

OPEN WINNERS AT WILMINGTON: Saddle bronc – David Stacey 74 and 73 in two rounds; bull ride – Benjamin Gard 86; bareback – Tom Willoughby and Parrish May 81; steer wrestling – Kevin Reynolds 4.35; rope and tie –  Jay March 4.25; team roping Tony Woodall and Jay March 8.2; barrel race – Ellie Gard 17.945; breakaway roping – Jessica Layton – 3.2

More information from APRA on 07 4661 8183