The BC High School Rodeo Finals took place June 5-8 in Falkland and Williams Lake’s Kaylee Billyboy was the lone competitor.
Billyboy qualified in the queen event and in breakaway roping, posting a 4.4-second time in Friday’s performance, a no time on Saturday and a 13.2-second run on Sunday to finish 21st overall in the province.
She also won the title of Miss BC High School Rodeo Princess, winning the personal interview portion of the queen competition and claiming the title of Miss Congeniality (voted on by her fellow competitors).
The queen event consisted of categories in horsemanship, a written exam on rodeo knowledge, personality, modelling, a two-minute prepared speech, appearance and an impromptu question. Alysha Pastor of Salmon Arm was crowned queen.
Meanwhile, at the junior high school rodeo finals held during the May long weekend, Wyatt Armes narrowly missed a spot at the National Junior High School Rodeo Finals and the Canadian Junior Rodeo Finals.
Armes placed sixth overall in the chute dogging event and ninth overall in boys’ goat tying.
He was also awarded the Ariat Best Boot Forward Award, presented to one cowboy and one cowgirl at the finals recognizing not everyone can win at every rodeo and acknowledges those competitors who represent the sport of rodeo in and out of the arena, and to those who are keen to compete and put forward their best effort, win or lose.
Williams Lake’s Brianna Billy finished fourth overall in barrel racing and will be attending the national high school rodeo finals (Des Moines, Iowa; June 22-28) and the Canadian junior finals (Nanton, Alta.; July 24-26).