in august 1944 the australian bushmen's carnival association (abca) was formed by the royal agricultural society of new south wales, as a result of the increase in the number of bushmen's carnivals. the purpose of this formation was to standardise regulations and rules, but insufficient support was given and the association was terminated in 1947. another national association, for professional riders, the australian rough rider's association (arra) was formed on 1 january 1945 with ron boardman as chairman and r. m. williams as secretary. later that year this association adapted and adopted american rules and regulations for their competitions. they held their first rodeos in south australia and the "hoofs & horns" magazine publicised and supported this group. the arra adopted a standard saddle, for the buckjumping, which had a 15-inch tree, 2¼ inch kneepads and was held in place with a crupper and girth. in 1988 the arra changed their name to the australian professional rodeo association (apra).