EMERALD Rodeo Association president Shane Kenny wants more national junior finals rodeo action next year after his association hosted its first finals.
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The best 10 in each Australian Professional Rodeo Association junior event headed to Emerald for the three rounds of the finals last weekend.
“The finals were exceptional, especially the third round in front of a crowd of 1200 on Saturday night. You bet we want to run the finals again next year,” Kenny said.
“It was the first time finals were held in Emerald and the atmosphere was electric.”
The Emerald Rodeo Association scheduled its rodeo in the same week as the Ag-Grow Field Days, which Kenny believes was a great idea.
“Ag-Grow helped with sponsorship,” he said.
In the arena, Ty Pokarier, from Westwood, near Rockhampton, proved to be the best junior roper in the nation when he won the breakaway roping buckle.
Roma rider Teal Ayers was victorious in the barrel race after three rounds and won the Junior All Around Australian Champion Cowgirl at the Emerald Showgrounds.
The only interstate winner was Ben Gard from Table Top (NSW) who won the junior steer ride and Junior All Around Australian Champion Cowboy.
The top 10 in each APRA junior event headed to Emerald for the finals, which were held in conjunction with a Friday night bull ride and Saturday open rodeo.
The open rodeo at Emerald was the first of the Northern Run and all roads will now lead to Taroom for the second rodeo on the run on Saturday, which has attracted 237 nominations.
Some of the bull riders are set to travel to Warwick this Friday night for the first rodeo, with six events at the Australian Rodeo Heritage Centre, a sports, historical, and entertainment venue, which also houses the office of the APRA.
Gates open for the Concreters Bull Ride in Warwick at 5pm on Friday, with action from 6pm in open, second-division and junior bull rides, junior steer ride, under-12 junior poddy ride and under-7 woolly buckjump.
The Friday night rodeo in Warwick will raise funds for the Rodeo Heritage Centre, Miss Rodeo Australia fundraising and high school rodeo program.
Tickets will be available at the door or the APRA office in Alice Street.
Junior finals winners: All Around Cowgirl and Barrel race – Teal Ayers (Roma, Qld); All Around Cowboy and steer ride – Ben Gard (Table Top, NSW); Breakaway roping – Ty Pokarier (Westwood, Qld). Emerald rodeo event winners: Friday night bull ride – Troy Mara (Capella, Qld). Saturday open rodeo: Saddle bronc – Michael Maher (Warwick, Qld); Bull ride – Darcy McBean (NT); Bareback – David Worsfold (Wandoan, Qld); Rope and tie – Shane Iker (Alton Downs, Qld); Steer wrestling – Errol Frain (Yeppoon, Qld); Team roping – Campbell Hodson (Townsville, Qld) and Liam Davison (Charters Towers, Qld); Barrel racing – Tenielle Middleton (Hughenden, Qld); Breakaway roping – Angela Pokarier (Westwood, Qld).
