NOMINATIONS have ridden to 668 for the Mt Isa Mines Rotary Rodeo on August 9-12.
The rodeo is the richest in the Australian Professional Rodeo Association and has attracted excellent numbers in open, second division and junior events.
The action will start on Thursday morning and action will continue to Sunday afternoon. There are 86 nominations in the open team roping and 14 in the over 55s team roping.
The saddle bronc has attracted 34 nominations, including standings leader Cameron Webster, of Wandoan. New South Wales rider Tim Hammond, of Rosewood, is second in the standings and will compete at the Buchanan Park Events Complex this week.
Some of their strongest opposition will come from reigning champion Brad Pierce, of Tooma, NSW.
Warwick rider Michael Maher won the saddle bronc at Mt Isa a record three times from 2015 to 2017 and will be one to watch this year.
Former South Australia and now Victorian rider David Stacey has been one of the most successful saddle bronc riders at southern rodeos in the past decade and is a strong chance for a place.
One of the form riders in the field will be Cody Angland who won at Taroom a fortnight ago with a score of 83, five points more than the second placegetter.
Yass (NSW) rider Clay Bush is second in the standings and will be one of the riders to beat in timed events.
There are 54 cowgirls in the barrel race and 52 in the breakaway roping. There will be one round and finals in events at Mt Isa.
Many of the riders are looking for success at Mt Isa to boost their spot in the standings.
The top 15 for the October 24-28 Warwick Rodeo APRA National Finals will be determined by prize money won in the season to September 30.
UPCOMING RODEOS
- August 9-12 – Mt Isa Rotary Rodeo, QLD
- August 17-19 – The Gulf Frontier Days Festival Gregory, QLD
- August 18 – Darwin Rodeo, NT
- August 18 – K Ranch Xtreme Bulls, NSW
- August 18 – North Queensland Elite Rodeo Townsville, QLD
- August 31 – Delrosa Timed Events Rodeo, QLD