Local cowboys and cowgirls were among the cream of the crop in their respective events last weekend at the annual Williams Lake High School Rodeo.
In all, 140 rodeo athletes from throughout the province competed.
“Our local kids all did really well,” said Williams Lake High School Rodeo Association president Leanne Manuel. “It was a really great weekend.”
Leanne’s son, 150 Mile House’s Blaine Manuel, had a phenomenal weekend in the senior division finishing first in bull riding Sunday, then following that up as the only successful steer wrestler in the event with an 11-second-flat time.
Wyatt Armes, meanwhile, finished first in his first go of cutting, then picked up a second-place result in his second go.
Reese Rivet was first in breakaway roping and was 10th in barrel racing and 11th in goat tying.
Brock Everett also had himself a stellar weekend placing first in junior boys breakaway roping on Saturday, and was third in the junior boys’ goat tying division. He was also first in junior team roping with his partner, Zoey Hamming and was fifth in junior boys goat tying.
Jordan Monical of 100 Mile House, who competes out of the Williams Lake High School Rodeo Association, finished first in saddle bronc riding and was fourth in boys’ cutting.
Lastly, Ryan Roberts placed fourth in team roping Sunday with partner Owen Perry.
Other local competitors included Cordell Pinchbeck, Conway Pinchbeck, Will Roberts and Jordana Wintjes.
“It was a really great turnout,” Leanne said of the competitor and spectator attendance. “It ran really well and it’s so great to see all the kids come from the north and south.”
This weekend Williams Lake High School Rodeo athletes will saddle up and ride off to a rodeo in Merritt, before Williams Lake will play host to the BC High School Rodeo Association Junior Finals for rodeo contestants from grades 6-8 on the May 19-20.The BCHSRA Senior Finals will be held in Merritt from June 9-11.