APRA’s richest rodeo at Mt Isa attracts most nominations

There are 120 nominations for the bull rides at the Mt Isa Rotary Rodeo on August 8—11.

Perfect form: Will Purcell on powerful bull Big or Bust. Picture: Dave Ethell

THERE are 120 nominations for the bull rides at the Mt Isa Rotary Rodeo on August 8—11.

Mt Isa is the richest rodeo on the Australian Professional Rodeo Association circuit and also attracts the most nominations.

The second-division bull ride starts on Thursday and has 59 nominations.

There are 12 nominations in the over 40s bull ride, an event only held at Mt Isa.

The open bull ride has 49 nominations, led by standings leader Will Purcell.

The Victorian star has won twice as much money as the next best in the field.

He is almost certain to win the pro tour for most money won in the season to September 30.

Victorian timed event star Terry Evison is the leader in all around cowboy standings in the APRA so will start as favourite for his three events — rope and tie, team roping and steer wrestling.

Evison was a dual winner last weekend at the Cloncurry Merry Muster so is in top form.

In the all around cowgirl standings, Emerald rider Ellysa Kenny is the standings leader.

She won an all around open title while still a junior but the junior national finals at Emerald this year were her last as a junior.

One of the reasons for the surge in nominations in all events at Mt Isa is the large prizemoney on offer and the chance for riders to win or place at Mt Isa and boost their chances of a top 15 finish.

The Mt Isa Rodeo will finish with an international challenge between Australia and North America on Sunday afternoon.

The top 15 in each of the eight APRA events will qualify for the Warwick Rodeo APRA National Finals on October 24—27.

The cut-off date for qualification for the national finals is September 30.

At the finals, there will be rounds each night from Thursday to Saturday and then on the Sunday afternoon.