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AUSTRALIA’S top 120 rodeo stars will once again compete for Australian championships on the Gold Coast in January.

The Australian Professional Rodeo Association (APRA) National Finals Rodeo will be held indoors for the third consecutive year at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre over four huge days and nights from 7th to 10th January 2010.

The spectacular multi-million dollar event – Australia’s largest rodeo is the grand finale of the APRA season and sees the cowboys and cowgirls competing in six events - Bareback Bronc Riding, Steer Wrestling, Barrel Racing, Saddle Bronc Riding, Team Roping and Bull Riding.

To get to the Coast arena, competitors have spent the past year travelling thousands of kilometers across the country to qualify at regional events – most recently October’s 80th annual Warwick Rodeo.

According to National Finals Rodeo coordinator John Osborne, that battle saw the cream of the crop turn up the heat for places at the Australian championships.

“We’re at the business end of the season now, all competition points from here on in are vital and we’re certainly seeing that in the ever-increasing intensity the riders are showing in qualifying,” Mr Osborne said.

“The national finals are a huge event in our sport and we’re leaving no stone unturned to make January’s rodeo on the Gold Coast the best yet.

“It’s a major Gold Coast event and, running alongside the Magic Millions, it helps position the Gold Coast as the equine epicenter of the country for a week or so,” he said.

Mr Osborne said the all-weather rodeo is quintessentially country, but indisputably Gold Coast in its presentation.

“There are the cowboys, cowgirls, the bucking stock, the bulls, the clowns and the barrels, but there are also huge TV screens, laser lighting, great sound and some really top musical entertainment,” Mr Osborne said.

“The famous over 18’s Cowboy Bar will return bigger and better than ever with nightly entertainment and our ticket prices are very family-friendly.

“Adults tickets start at $15, children’s tickets at $12 and family tickets start at only $45,” he said.

Mr Osborne said there are also three, four and five session passes and tickets are available now at www.nfrgoldcoast.com.au