Warwick rider primes form for Mt Isa with a second
RODEO: Michael Maher fine-tuned his form for the Mt Isa Rodeo with a second place in open saddle bronc at the Cloncurry Merry Muster at the weekend.
The Warwick rider has won the saddle bronc at the past two Mt Isa Rodeos and has the chance to make it three in succession from Friday to Sunday this week.
He will face some of the best riders in the nation, including reigning APRA titleholder Brad Pierce from Tooma (NSW), Millmerran cowboy John McNamee and close mate Mark Collins from Warwick.
Lachlan Miller and Peel Tribe are other Warwick riders in saddle bronc at Mt Isa.
Miller will be backing up after winning second-division saddle bronc at Cloncurry. In bareback, former Gore cowboy and APRA title winner Fred Osman has nominated.
Warwick cowboy Kobe Miller won a bonus in team roping at Cloncurry and will compete at Mt Isa along with parents Jeff and Shellie Miller. Nominations are up from 618 last year to 658 for the Mt Isa Rodeo.
Cloncurry Open Winners: Saddle bronc - Clayton Braden (Clermont, Qld)
Bull ride - Sonny Schafferius (Dysart, Qld)
Bareback - Ben Hall (Tumbarumba, NSW)
Rope and tie - Campbell Hodson (Townsville, Qld)
Steer wrestling - Andrew Jansen (Comet, Qld)
Team roping - Ben Moonbi, NSM and Blake Hallum (Calala, NSW)
Barrel racing - Jo Caldwell (Murrurundi, NSW)
Breakaway - Teal Ayers (Roma, Qld)
