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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.
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
With the concept of raising funds & awareness to benefit rural communities, the Classic Ladies Foundation was born.
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Australia’s best rodeo competitors have been crowned with the Australian Bushmen’s Campdraft and Rodeo Association’s (ABCRA) National Finals Rodeo wrapping up at the Australian Equine Livestock and Events Centre (AELEC) in Tamworth, NSW over the weekend.
More than 210 competitors competed across the three-days in junior and senior events, with Wade McCarthy from Muckenburra, WA named the All Round Cowboy National Title winner and the Bull Ride National Title winner, while Tamworth’s Anna Crisp took out the All Round Cowgirl National Title, as well as the Breakaway Roping National Title with ‘Chex R All I Know’, which was also named Breakaway Roping Horse of the Year.
Isaac LeClair from Kiara, WA was named the Graham Keir Memorial All Round Rookie Cowboy, and Jolene Kallus from Eumungerie, NSW was crowned the Graham Keir Memorial All Round Rookie Cowgirl. Bendemeer’s Braith Nock with crowned Rookie Bull Ride Champion and Tammy Cooper from Glen Oak, NSW was named Rookie Barrel Race Champion with ‘Rio’.
ABCRA Executive Officer, Craig Young said there was some serious competition across the three-days, with the nation’s top competitors on show.
“We had a fantastic National Finals event, with numerous National Title winners and Aggregate Champions crowned across all rodeo disciplines,” he said.
“Tamworth’s Travis Heeb took out both the National Title and Aggregate Champion in the Bareback, and Jayden Blacker was crowned Saddle Bronc National Title winner.
“Katina Matthews also impressed, taking out the Barrel Race National Title on ‘Filthy Rich N Famous’, which was also named Barrel Horse of the Year.”
The event also raised money for charity, with several thousand raised for the NSW Cancer Council at the traditional blanket drop that was held during the Tough Enough to Wear Pink night on Friday.
“We always loved to support the NSW Cancer Council and since 2011 more than $75,000 has been raised through dedicated rodeo events,” said Mr Young.
“An almost sell-out crowd on Saturday night, also helped support Lifeline during the Bruce Green Memorial night and raise funds for a new crisis support centre in the region.”
A full list of National Title winners, Aggregate Champions and Rookie Champions can be found here.
Australia’s best rodeo competitors will head to the nation’s country music capital this week for the Australian Bushmen’s Campdraft and Rodeo Association’s (ABCRA) National Finals Rodeo.
The hallmark event will begin on Thursday, 19 January at the Australian Equine Livestock and Events Centre (AELEC) in Tamworth, NSW, kicking off three full days of rodeo action.
ABCRA Executive Officer, Craig Young, says the event will showcase the very best of Australian rodeo.
“The top 15 competitors from each rodeo discipline have been invited to compete at the National Finals Rodeo this week and we have some talented men’s, women’s and junior riders ready and raring to go,” said Mr Young.
“These riders have accumulated points by competing at ABCRA affiliated events throughout the year, so they’ll be throwing everything on the line to take out top honours.”
Among the riders competing will be Katina Matthews, who’s leading the Ladies Barrel Race, Travis Heeb in the Open Bareback, Wade McCarthy who’s leading Open Bull Ride, and Anna Crisp, in the Ladies Breakaway Roping.
The country’s best junior and juvenile riders will also take to the arena, with the junior section of the National Finals kicking off at 8am each day in the main arena.
“Our main event on Thursday will also be a dedicated family night with kids under 12 free, so I encourage everyone to get their tickets now and secure their seats,” said Mr Young.
“Country music artist and former Golden Guitar Award finalist Liam Brew will also perform for crowds on Saturday night, ahead of the final round of the National Finals Rodeo.”
The ABCRA’s National Finals Rodeo will also have a charitable side with the Tough Enough to Wear Pink Rodeo on Friday night to raise money for the NSW Cancer Council.
More than $75,000 has been raised for the NSW Cancer Council since 2011 through dedicated rodeo events.
Shaen Fraser from the Cancer Council said: “Pink Ribbon events raise both awareness around women’s cancers and funding for local initiatives and support services like Inala House and Cancer Council’s Accommodation support program, Transport to Treatment and Home Help programs. These are vital services for local women and their families as they undergo cancer treatment and as part of their recovery.
“Donating just $10 can help pay for an Information Pack to help a woman cope after surgery, and a donation of $50 Can help fund a call to a cancer nurse on 13 11 20, that informs and supports a woman through a breast cancer diagnosis.”
Saturday’s main event will be the Bruce Green Memorial, in aide of Lifeline and local mental health support services.
“Representative from these organisations will be out and about during our main events, so I encourage everyone attending to dig deep and support them, as they provide critical services to our region,” said Mr Young.
The junior sections of National Finals Rodeo will kick off at 8am each day and are free to enter. Tickets for the main events can be purchased via entertainmentvenues.com.au
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