COWBOYS from Queensland, NSW and Victoria are the favourites for the open bull ride at the Warwick Rodeo later this month.
The Warwick Rodeo, to be held on October 23 to 26, is one of the most famous in Australia.
Current APRA standings leader Roy Dunn is the favourite after being the only rider to make time on two bulls at Mt Isa in August. Dunn hails from Proserpine in North Queensland.
He will face tough opposition from past champion and current APRA record holder Fraser Babbington, who is originally from New Zealand but now lives at Beaudesert, Queensland.
Tooma, NSW, rider Brad Pierce has won titles in the APRA as well as rookie bull ride and rookie all-around titles in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association in the United States and will make the trip to Warwick.
Last year, Upper Horton, NSW, rider Troy Wilkinson won the bull ride at the Warwick Rodeo soon after returning from a riding stint in the United States and is aiming to go back-to-back.
The Victorian charge will be led by Bryden Atkins who was a prolific winner as a junior and has enjoyed success in the United States in the open ranks.
The interstate rivalry will be just as strong in the cowgirl events with Moree, NSW, rider Wendy Caban the favourite.
Caban is the current APRA leader in barrel race and all around standings.
Her toughest opposition will come from current runner-up Jamie-Lee Williams, of Alton Downs, in Central Queensland.
Victorian pair Terry Evison, Trafalgar, and Lee Kimber, Lockington, have been among the best ropers in the nation this decade and could easily secure a title in Warwick.
The New South Wales hopes in the rope and tie will be led by Ty Parkinson, of Moonbi, who won round 2 at Mt Isa this season and is third in the standings.
