Leading up to the APRA National Finals Rodeo in June I travelled to Bundaberg Show Rodeo in late May and had success with a win in the Barrel Race and a placing of 2nd in the Breakaway Roping.

The following weekend saw us travel to Bowen River Rodeo which is just outside Collinsville in Queensland. I took out the win in the Breakaway Roping. From there we were home for a couple of days in time to pack up and travel to the Gold Coast for the National Finals which were held at the prestigious Convention Centre from the 7th to the 10th of June. I was excited to have qualified amongst the top 15 cowgirls in the country in two events and was therefore eligible to compete for the All Round Cowgirl Title. My horses performed very well for me and after five rounds of tough competition I finished Runner Up for the Breakaway Roping Title, I placed 3rd in the Average for the Barrel Racing and was Runner-Up to my sister-in-law Wendy Caban for the All Round Cowgirl Title. Although a little disappointed that I had come so close to two titles I was grateful that my horses performed well and I gave it a good shot.

With the Finals over, it is back to the business of trying to qualify for next year. This season is extra long because of the change in dates for the Finals. The point’s year started back in December 2011 and will run right through to April 2013. The Northern Run of rodeos is about to start, with Taroom scheduled for the 21st of July, then on to Richmond, Cloncurry and Mt Isa the following weekends. September will also be a busy month with the ATRA finals in Capella early in the month then some big paying APRA rodeo’s toward the end with Emerald and Nebo. With the APRA qualification depending on every dollar that is won, this run of rodeos will be a good opportunity to capitalise on a place in the standings.  

I also have a tentative booking to conduct my first barrel racing clinic here in Emerald in late August, so that is very exciting for me. I have been conducting private lessons but this will be a further extension of that. I look forward to passing on my knowledge of training the futurity prospect through to becoming a seasoned rodeo competitor.