ROY Dunn will be aiming for his first Australian Professional Rodeo Association open title when he jumps on his first bull late on Thursday night at the Warwick Showgrounds.

He is part of a famous rodeo family from north Queensland and was an easy winner in the battle for the lead in pro tour standings in the 2015 season.

Dunn hails from Proserpine and will come up against the cream of bull riding talent in the APRA.

Two of the young guns in the sport are Wagga Wagga cowboy Sean Lynch and Victorian star Bryden Atkins.

While he goes into the finals in 14th spot, Haden rider Matt Boland won't be a pushover.

He won this year at a rodeo at the Australian Rodeo Heritage Centre and recently competed at Marrabel in South Australia.

It will be a busy time for Boland and his wife Danika at the Warwick Rodeo as she is the reigning Miss Rodeo Australia.

The other finalist from the region is Jack McArthur from Cooyar.

With a surname Gill, one can't underestimate the chances of Upper Horton (NSW) cowboy Ryan Gill who comes from a family steeped in rodeo tradition.

While many might think the best of the cowboys live in the bush, one city cowboy able to mix it with the best is Sam Champ who calls Meldale in the Caboolture area home.

Champ finished the 2015 pro tour in second place behind Dunn so can't be underestimated.

"Champ is a champ" has a good ring about it but there will be 15 bull riders in Warwick all aiming to win an elusive title.

The bull riders will go into the four championship rounds with carryover points from the season which means the top-two, Dunn and Champ, will be the front runners.

The points system is designed so even the 15th-placed rider can win but the degree of difficulty is higher.

Ones to watch

Darcy McBean: Hails from Katherine in the Northern Territory and one of the new guns. He finished the season in 13th place in APRA standings and will need to win prize money in at least three rounds.

Troy Wilkinson: Won the bull ride at the Warwick Rodeo two years ago and will bring some experience from competing overseas. Lives near Gill Brothers at Upper Horton (NSW) so never short of a bull to practise one. His family also breeds bucking bulls.

Championship times

Thursday 6pm

Friday 6pm

Saturday 6pm

Sunday 1.30pm