WA & NQ Competitors Fired up for ABCRA Finals

Gerard Oversby on BH Saddler at Charters Towers Rodeo (Photo: Brenda Chappel)

Australia’s premier Campdraft and Rodeo, the ABCRA National Finals, which is held during Tamworth’s Country Music Week, will see the Junior National Finals Rodeo run from January 19-21 comprising three rounds. The National Finals Rodeo will then run from January 23-26 (held over four rounds) and the Campdraft National Finals will run from January 25-26, consisting of three rounds over the two days. 

With only the top 15 in each of the rodeo events and the top 25 in each of the Campdraft events eligible to compete, the National Finals brings the top competitors from as far and wide as North Queensland and Western Australia, showcasing the best talent Australia has on offer.

The Ladies Barrel Race will see four competitors travelling from North Queensland and one competitor making the long trip from Western Australia. Leanne Kenny, who makes her home in Emerald, Queensland has been a 4 time CRCA All Round Cowgirl and 1 time CRCA Barrel Racing Champion. Jamie Lee Williams from Alice River in Queensland has been the ABCRA Runner up North Queensland Zone Ladies Barrel Race Champion in both 2011 and 2012. Townsville’s Jaimi Downing was named the 2009 ABCRA Runner-up Rookie Barrel Racer, 2009 ABCRA North Queensland Rookie Barrel Racer and 2010 ABCRA North Queensland Champion Barrel Racer. Suzie Fearon who makes her home in Wulguru Queensland has multiple achievements to her name with the most recent being the 2012 ABCRA North Queensland Barrel Race Champion and All Round Cowgirl. Western Australia’s Bronwyn Hill, who calls Baskerville home, was the 2012 ABCRA Western Australia All Round Cowgirl and 2011 ABCRA Western Australia Rookie Barrel Racer.

This year could see the Bareback Title be taken home to Western Australia, as Bindoon’s Gerard Oversby holds the number one position leading into the finals. Gerard has been very successful in this event, which has seen him travel to Canada to compete. He was also named the 2008 ABCRA All Round Rookie Cowboy. Also competing in the Bareback is Dave Worsfold from Wandoan, Queensland who for the last six years has been competing in the PRCA in America where he has been very successful.

In the Junior Breakaway Roping, Campbell Hodson from Thuringowa Central in North Queensland leads the event. Campbell was the 2010 and 2011 ABCRA Runner up Junior Breakaway Roping Champion, 2011 ABCRA North Queensland Rookie Rope & Tie Champion, Rookie Team Roping Heeler Champion and Junior Breakaway Roping Champion. Campbell was also the 2012 ABCRA North Queensland Junior Breakaway Champion and Junior All Round cowboy.

These competitors who have proven to be amongst Australia’s best have done more miles this year than most and will be making the long trip to Tamworth, New South Wales for the National Finals. To make the trip worth it, each competitor will be hungry for the win and it’s a sure bet we will see them at their very best making for very tough competition.

Full of non-stop rodeo and campdraft action, the National Finals is an event not to be missed so grab your tickets and cowboy hats and come along for a great night out. ABCRA National Finals Tickets are selling fast so make sure you don’t miss out.  Go to www.abcra.com.au or phone 026767500.