It's ABCRA Finals Time!

U14 Barrel Race Finals Champion Dana Jane Nock

Bull riding is alway a fantastic event to watch at the ABCRA Finals

Open Horse Runner Up and Finals Champion Allan Young and Acres Liberty Beau

The ABCRA National Finals are finally here and the trucks are rolling in by the minute. With loads of non-stop Rodeo and Campdraft action along with the many special guest appearances by some of your favourite performers including Ashlee Esposito, Amber Lawrence, Shandell Tosoni, Larry Cann and Gord Bamford as well as Kym Hagon’s Horse Show, entertainment is guaranteed. This year there will also be a number of trade stalls on site offering you some of the best shopping in town.

Not stopping there, this year there will also be a big screen to capture all of your favourite rodeo moments in both the junior and senior Rodeos. Adding to the jam packed entertainment schedule is professional comedy clown ‘Al Wilson’ who will have you laughing non-stop throughout the entire event and making a special appearance for the first time in National Finals History is ‘Wildfire’ the pet Brahman Bull.

On Saturday night, the Junior Finals will see a ‘sea of yellow’ in support of Camp Quality with competitors and spectators alike encouraged to dress in yellow in support of the cause.

The Friday night of the National Finals will be ‘tough enough to wear pink’ night which is held in support of the Cancer Council – a theme that last year saw more than $30,000 raised.

In the arena, Carl Green leads the prestigious All Round Cowboy title by 45.5 points after having a blitzer of a year. Carl has managed to qualify for the Finals in two individual events, the Saddle Bronc and Bull Ride, proving his talent and ability and ensuring he will be worth watching in each of his events throughout the week.

Western Australia’s Gerard Oversby goes into the finals with a $1414.30 lead in the Bareback. Being a consistent rider throughout the year should see Gerard able to handle his nerves for each ride and be in the placings, however with reigning Bareback and former All Round champion Dee Heinemann sitting in second place, fans will be assured this title will come down to the wire.

A number of titles will be fought for in the timed event end of the arena with several top competitors in the running. Willow Tree’s Nichole Fitzpatrick, who has won almost every title on offer in previous years and also goes into the finals with the Breakaway Roping title wrapped up, leads the Steer Undecorating by $772.48. Closely following behind is Teagan Glass from Attunga who is also the current Steer Undecorating Rookie leader. Throw into the mix Jannette Glass who is sitting in third on $3328.80 and there is sure to be above average competition along with a little mother-daughter rivalry.

The junior events certainly won’t disappoint with rodeo’s rising stars battling it out for the titles. The 11-U14 Junior Steer Ride will be a highlight of this year’s finals with a 3.75 point margin separating first and second place. Nicholas Penrose and Toby Leake have both edged ahead of the pack to secure a place in the top two, however leading into the finals the first place honours could go either way. Both boys have been neck and neck throughout the year, making it impossible to pick who will outride the other and secure the title.

Over in the campdraft arena, the encouragement is unbelievably close with Kenrick Cross in the lead on 23.6 closely followed by Christine Rasmussen who is only 1.27 points behind. The race however doesn’t stop there with all of the top 25 competitors within 12.33 points of the lead. Anything can happen and it will come down to who does what in each of the rounds.

The Open Campdraft will be highly contested by the top three horses for this year and you can bet they will be able to sense that this isn’t any ordinary event, and competitors will be at the top of their game for the three rounds.

Nigel Kable’s horse Ivory leads the event on 50.5 points, followed by Allan Young’s Acres Liberty Beau on 38.7 and Binnia Impressive Destiny, owned by Troy Palmer, on 37.5. Troy is a well-known and competitive horseman who owns and trains horses of the highest quality. His horse, Binnia Impressive Destiny, won this event last year and we could see him take out the event again this year.

Held during Tamworth’s Country Music Week, the Junior National Finals Rodeo will run from the January 19-21 comprising three rounds, followed by the National Finals Rodeo from January 23-26 (held over four rounds) and the Campdraft National Finals from January 25-26, consisting of three rounds over the two days.

With so much entertainment in the one place there won’t be a dull moment and you’re guaranteed to be on the edge of your seat the entire time. This will be an event not to be missed so spread the word, grab your cowboy hats and bring along your friends and family for a great night out. Don’t forget to come and meet the magnificent Wildfire, and while you’re there why not get a photo of yourself giving him a cuddle. ABCRA National Finals Tickets are selling fast so get in and get yours quick before you miss out. Tickets can be purchased from www.abcra.com.au or phone 02 6767 5300.