TOWNSVILLE showground hosted the North Queensland Zone ABCRA rodeo finals on November 1 for the first time in 12 years and organisers and sponsors were so pleased with the venue and the crowd, they have already booked the venue for next year.
Even before the event, five of the North’s cowboys were siting in the top 10 of the nation al All-Round Cowboy standings.
On the national list Ron Finch is in 2nd spot, Mick Cordingley, 3rd, Lee Iiaver, 4th, Norm Stagg 5th, and Mark Gibb, 10th.
All five were at the Townsville finals trying to improve on their standings.
North Queensland Zone president, Norm Stagg, said although he was disappointed with his own rides, there were plenty of outstanding performances during the finals.
“Brody Moss showed just what a great all-round athlete he is with his performances in the team roping, the saddle and as a rodeo athlete,” Norm said.
He said the stock were some of the best he’d seen over the past year
Mick Cordingley continued his 2008 form by taking out the saddle bronc title while Ronnie Finch won the all-round cowboy and Loraine Welby, Georgetown won the ladies breakaway title.
Brodie Moss and Norm Stagg came within a whisker of breaking the ABCRA Australian Team Roping record they set just two weeks ago.
*More photos in this week’s North Queensland Register, out Thursday.