RIDERS from three states won championship titles in the Warwick Rodeo Australian Professional Rodeo Association National Finals at the weekend.
Emerald rider Campbell Hodson made it two championship titles in two years when he won the all around cowboy title. He backed up to win the team roping header title as well as both aggregates at the finals.
Leongatha (Vic) rider Elley Hulls won the all around cowgirl title and the aggregate at the national finals in all around cowgirl and breakaway roping. Eleven championship buckles were up for grabs and six riders won both the championship titles and the aggregate at the Warwick finals which were held over four rounds.
All of the rounds were under lights from Wednesday to Saturday at the Warwick Showgrounds. The championship buckles are presented to the riders with most points for their pro tour season and performance at the finals. Five riders won championship titles but missed out on winning the aggregate at the finals. One of the features of the national finals was the performance of Warwick brothers Mitch and Wade Eastwell.
Wade won the first round of the rope and tie and then Mitch was second in round two and won the final two rounds. Mitch was fourth going into the national finals and secured the national championship with his strong performance at the finals. Wade won the aggregate at the finals after recording four times in rope and tie.
Championship winners/Finals aggregate winners:
All around cowboy – Campbell Hodson (Qld), all around cowgirl – Elley Hulls (Vic), Bull ride – Brady Fielder (Qld). Team roping header – Campbell Hodson (Qld), Team roping heeler – Liam Davison (Qld), Barrel racing – Candy Michaelis (SA)
Championship winners:
Saddle bronc – Cameron Webster (Qld), Bareback bronc ride – David Worsfold (Qld), Rope and tie – Mitch Eastwell (Qld).
Steer wrestling – Ryley Gibb (Qld), Breakaway roping – Cherie O’Donoghue (Vic).
Finals aggregate winners:
Saddle bronc – Morgan Marks (Qld), Bareback bronc – Strawbs Jones (Qld).
Rope and tie – Wade Eastwell (Qld), Steer wrestling – Jace Land (Qld), Breakaway roping – Elley Hulls (Vic).
