RODEO: Victorian star Shianne O'Donoghue-Kent was the standings leader in barrel racing at the end of the 2015 season and is one of the favourites for a championship title win in the Australian Professional Rodeo Association this week at the Warwick Showgrounds.

She was a star in barrel racing in the southern states to win half as much prizemoney again as the next best, Adele Edwards from Nangus near Gundagai in New South Wales.

Jill Lyons from Gracemere in Queensland was third in the standings after leading early in the season and Moree rider Wendy Caban fourth.

There was only $200 prizemoney between second and fourth so a cliffhanger is expected in the Warwick Rodeo Australian Championships starting Thursday night.

O'Donoghue-Kent is the youngest of the top four and is one on many in her family from Bunyip in Victoria who compete in rodeo.

Often her toughest opposition is aunt Cherie O'Donoghue but they won't go head-to-head in Warwick as Cherie is only in breakaway roping.

Of all the front runners, Caban has the most recent title wins, including one year when she won all three APRA buckles for cowgirls.

Eight events will be contested in each round of the rodeo championships in Warwick.

Championship Program

• 6pm Thursday
• 6pm Friday
• 6pm Saturday
• 1.30pm Sunday

Second-division and junior events at other times in conjunction with campdrafting

Ones to watch

Teneille Little: Past title winner in barrel racing who goes into championship final in 15th place. She has the least carryover points going into finals but has four rounds to challenge for the title buckle.

Tenielle Middleton: The cowgirl from Hughenden will hold the North Queensland hopes for a win in the barrel race. She finished the season in 10th place but is one of the most consistent in APRA. Originally from Emerald.