Local cowboys on a mission to steam ahead in Australian Professional Rodeo Association standings put themselves in good stead.

Tooma’s Brad Pierce, dollars off third in hotly-contested saddle bronc standings as of February 1, scored 76 points to win at Hay.

Young’s Ben Thorp has climbed to ninth in bull ride standings after a seven-month spell, and his ascent has continued with a win at Hay.

Both competitors at Hay clocked a time, and Thorp beat Boorowa’s Hayden Tyrrell by four points on 77.

Tumbarumba’s Ben Hall who led the national bareback standings in early February by more than $2000 took home a cheque from his 73-point ride on Computer games, second to Rookie of the Year runner up, Boorowa’s Hayden Tyrrell, scoring 75 points on Little Angel.

Meanwhile, a cowgirl from southern VIC, traveling the extra mile to defend her All Round Cowgirl title, Shianne O’Donoghue-Kent, made it worthwhile, with a decisive win in the barrel race.

A record number of spectators flooded through the gates at the Hay Showgrounds, and enjoyed the new set-up.

“The fixed lighting made a very big difference,”  organiser Alex Curtis said.

“There was no generator noise and it meant that everyone spread out, they weren’t on top of each other.”