𝗪𝗜𝗟𝗦𝗢𝗡 𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗦 𝗧𝗪𝗜𝗖𝗘!

The 2022 ABCRA NFR got off to a fabulous start for 12yo Douglas Park cowboy Bob Wilson.

At his first National Finals and wearing his champion Dad’s chaps from back in the 70’s and 80’s, this talented third generation young cowboy started with 2 from two in his chosen events!

In the Whitehaven Coal sponsored 8-U11 Junior Steer ride he marked 68ps to finish ahead of a split for second between standings leader Logan George and his brother Bailey George both marking 64pts with Cody Searle on 63pts for fourth place and Colby Clark marking 60pts for fifth.

Then in the 8-U11 YETI Mini Bulls event Bob split the win marking 70pts on board ‘Devil’s Dust’ with Cody Searle on ‘Joker’ ahead of a split for 3rd between Oscar Eastley on ‘Quarterback’ and Logan George on ‘CJR’ with Bailey George picking up fifth place money with ‘Rodney in his bull rope. A huge thank you to Jodie and Craig at Calibre Country Shooting and Outdoors DL 411535392 for sponsoring both the Mini Bull and and the Junior Bull ride events at this year’s finals.

The Junior Bull ride was won by Jake Swan, the current leader in the National Standings with the highpoint ride of the day and his career best score, a massive 85pts! Second pace went to Toby Deudney marking 76pts, third to Alec Grainger on 74pts with Colby Edgar making a trip t the pay window for fourth spot with 73pts beside his name and first out Linden Raaen collect the fifth-place money.

And in the YETI 11 -U14 Mini Bulls it was Josh Snell at the front of the queue at the pay window with 73pts on ‘Jimmy Junior’ ahead of Kyle Sternbeck with 72pts on ‘War Zone’, Bailey Searle picking up some more coin for his 71pt effort on ‘General Lee’ with Harry Kelly collecting fourth place money for his work on ‘Jackhammer’ and fifth spot went to Levi Ward marking 68pts on ‘Firestorm’

In the Whitehaven Coal 11-U14 Junior Steer Ride Dustin Gannon was first to the pay window with a 73pt marking ahead of a three-way split for second place between Cody Sternbeck, Josh Snell and Jesse Pendergast. Darcy Wilton marked 68pts for fifth place in the event.

In the Whitehaven Coal sponsored 14-U18 Junior Steer ride Jamie Underwood got it done with 69pts just ahead of Cooper Mitchell on 68pts, Colby Edgar picking up a bit more money with his third placing on 67pts and then Jack Whitely-Eldridge and Jake Swan split fourth and fifth each with 66pts beside their names.

𝗣𝗛𝗢𝗘𝗕𝗘 𝗙𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗔𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗥𝗨𝗠𝗦!

Over to the timed event end of the arena and there were some fabulous runs in the Circle L Western Products sponsored Junior Barrel Race events.

Fastest time of the day went to Phoebe Usher and ‘Morns Posh Roc’ this pair stopping the clock in 17.98 secs to win the 11-U14 event ahead of Kundabung cowboy Levi Ward and ‘Thunder’ in a time of 18.589 secs with third place going to Gungal cowgirl Makayla Mobberley on board ‘One More Style’ in 18.603 secs. Sophie Edmonds collected fourth place money with her 18.762 sec run on ‘Cruzin Ta Fame’’ and completing the podium it was Amber Haling with ‘Frankie’ under her saddle in a time of 18.763 secs.

In the under 11yo Barrel Race no-one was quicker than Dakayla Crawley and ‘Double Up’ with this pair stopping the clock in 18.25 secs to win the opening round ahead of Lacey Hutton and ‘’Peppy’s Page’ in a time of 18.933 secs with third spot going to Franki Ward and ‘Dusty’ in a time of 19.172 secs. Paisley Swadling and ‘Attitude’ picked up fourth place money with a 19.073 sec run and Maddison Edwards and ‘Iggy’ the final pair at the pay window after their 20.072sec run.

Kundabung cowgirl Bobbi Ward and ‘Thunder’ closed the gap a little on National Standings leader, Maitland cowboy Thomas Hutton and ‘Cold Play’ when they were quickest around the drums in the 14-U18 Juvenile Barrel Race. Thomas was second ahead of Skyla Wicks and ‘Ziggy’ who stopped the clock in 18.242 secs then in fourth place we had Heatherjane Scott and ‘Hot Shot Doc’ with 18.273 secs beside their name and the final pairing to visit the pay window from the opening round were Bendemeer cowgirl Chloe Burch and ‘Intracat Chilli’ with their 18.533 sec run for fifth place.

And in the Impulse Print sponsored Junior Breakaway Roping, proving that the apple hasn’t fallen too far from the tree, it was a very speedy 2.97 sec time from Woolomin cowgirl Rily Leys that saw her and ‘Radar’ get the first round chocolates ahead of the number one cowboy in the All Round rankings Kayne Lincoln and ‘Buddy’ who stopped the clock in 3.54 secs to collect second place money. Bobbi Ward returned to the pay window after she and ‘Duke’ recorded a 3.73 sec run for third place with Kiara Edwards and ‘Trigger’ picking up a fourth-place cheque after travelling all the way over the Nullarbor from York in WA to compete at the finals.

What a great morning!

Same time, same place tomorrow morning for more exciting action.

See you here!

Photos and words Stephen Mowbray