Eastwell brothers make APRA finals
SIX Queenslanders and one Victorian head the Australian Professional Rodeo Association rope and tie standings going into the Comet Benefit Rodeo in Central Queensland on Saturday.
Central Queensland rider Campbell Hodson is on top of the rope and tie standings from Victorian star Terry Evison. Emerald rider Shane Kenny is in third place followed by four Queenslanders, Shane Iker, Darcy Kersh and the Eastwell brothers from Warwick, Brock and Mitch.
In 2017, Brock Eastwell won the average at the final while last year Mitch Eastwell won the title and a third brother Wade, won the average.
Brock was second in each round of the rope and tie at Mt Isa this year and second in the average.
Late in the season, Brock is in sixth place in the standings and Mitch seventh so both are assured of a spot in the top 15 for the Warwick Rodeo APRA National Finals on October 24-27.
Wade is 18th in the standings and can push his final hopes with a placing at Comet. Evison leads the all around standings from Kersch in the battle for the pro tour allaround cowboy buckle in the APRA.
All around standings leader Ellysa Kenny, of Emerald, is first in the all around cowgirl standings going into the last month of the season.
She heads six Victorians including experienced Victorian rider Cherie O’Donoghue.
She will expect some of her strongest opposition at Comet from past champion Teneille Angland from New South Wales and fellow Central Queensland rider Leanne Caban.
For many riders, distance is not a problem to compete at a rodeo.
Bareback bronc riding standings leader Ben Hall will travel from Tumbarumba in southern New South Wales in quest of a win at Comet.