Williams Lake cowboy and tie-down roper Virgil Poffenroth is up for the Kimes Ranch International Sponsorship Award.
Poffenroth, who competes on the Canadian Professional Rodeo Circuit, grew up on his family’s cattle ranch in Riske Creek.
“I recently relocated to Alberta to pursue my rodeo career,” Poffenroth said. “I grew up in rodeo and live the ranching life. I picked up a rope when I was two and ever since then I haven’t really put it down.”
Last year was Poffenroth’s first year competing in the CPRA.
Poffenroth, the 2010 and 2011 B.C. Rodeo Association season leader and the 2011 BCRA tie-down finals champion, said his most impressive achievement was winning the Taber Pro Rodeo with an 8.3-second time.
“I’m gearing up for next season,” he said. “I’ve been training in the gym, spending all my spare time in the practice pen and getting my horses back in shape so we are ready to go come April.”
The CPRA season takes athletes through B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and into the northern U.S. on the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Circuit.
Voting goes until May 1 and is available online here: www.kimesranch.com/sponsorship-voting.