Van Wel passes his own goal for season

CHARTERS Towers cowboy Tate Van Wel went into 2019 in the Australian Professional Rodeo Association aiming to finish top 15 in steer wrestling to qualify for national finals for the first time.

However, after a dominant season, he beat his own goal when he finished the season at the top of the standings.

“It is pretty cool to finish on top against so many good riders,” he said.

His top performance was at the Nebo Rodeo where he had a personal best time of 3.55 seconds to split first with close friend Luke Holmes.

After growing up in Townsville, Van Wel moved to Charters Towers where he started competing in rodeo.

“I started as a bull rider and then had a go on a few saddle bronc horses before deciding to concentrate on steer wrestling,” he said.

“We train three to four times a week at two properties. If I am in only one event, all the training will be in that event.

“I enjoy the rural lifestyle at Charters Towers and went in the rodeo for a bit of fun,” he said. “I needed a hobby.”

Van Wel will hit The Warwick Rodeo APRA National Finals on October 24-27, with three night rounds and then the final round on the Sunday.

Not leaving anything to chance, Van Wel plans to be as prepared as he can.

“We are going

Warwick a couple early,” he said.

“I am hoping to win, you bet. Being on top of the standings is an advantage but anything can happen on the day.”

The Charters Towers rider has only missed a couple of his steers this season. If he can record four times at the finals, he will give himself the best possible chance of victory.

He is set to ride the horse, Kruze, from the Gibb family at the finals.

“Five of the 15 are likely to ride Kruze in the steer wrestling in Warwick,” he said. down to of days