TWO QLD COWBOYS FAVOURITE FOR MILLMERRAN

Photo of John McNamee by Cherie Ryan – www.purplefairy.net.au

Photo of Michael Maher by Dave Ethell – www.dephotos.com.au

RIDERS from Warwick and Millmerran are the favourites in the Saddle Bronc ride at the Millmerran Show Rodeo on Saturday.

Current Australian Professional Rodeo Association standings leader Michael Maher, of Warwick, and Millmerran cowboy and 2016 Saddle Bronc Australian Champion John McNamee are  equal  favourites going into the Saddle Bronc ride.

Maher won in August last year at the richest rodeo in Australia at Mt Isa and then McNamee won the APRA title after a strong performance at the National Finals in Warwick in October.

Warwick cowboy Lane Grayson has travelled to many interstate rodeos so far this year and will be one to watch, particularly after the experience gained on the North American circuit last year.

St George cowboy John Turvey will be another strong chance at Millmerran.

The closest contest of the rodeo could be in the Rope and Tie where Shane Iker from Alton Downs in Central Queensland will come up against Scone (NSW) auctioneer Heath Nichols. Iker was third in the aggregate at last year’s National Finals rodeo but is a past roping and All Around Champion in the APRA.

Nichols was third in Round 1 of Rope and Tie at last year’s Finals.

Moree rider Wendy Caban is the most successful cowgirl in the APRA in the past decade and will compete at Millmerran in a strong field. Warwick rider Shellie Miller and Kristy Banks from Toowoomba will be two to watch in the Barrel Race.

Banks is a former jockey who has moved to Barrel Racing on a specially designed saddle after being restricted to a wheelchair following a race fall.

Millmerran Rodeo will start with timed events from 1pm and roughstock action starting at 6:30pm at the Millmerran Showgrounds this Saturday

More information from APRA on 4661 8183.