The B.C. Rodeo Association wrapped up its 2012 season in Quesnel last weekend with its Championship Finals featuring three days of jam-packed rodeo.
The BCRA hosted 20 rodeos throughout the province this year with the top 10 in each event converging in Quesnel for the prestigious title of the BCRA Finals Champion.
When the dust settled on Sunday the total points from all three go-rounds and the average were accumulated showing a tie in three events — breakaway roping, team roping and junior breakaway roping. To determine a champion the two tied competitors competed in a rope-off.
For Williams Lake and area athletes, it was also a chance to secure several top finishes.
Katrina Ilnicki proved to be in the most fine form of all, winning the breakaway roping championship buckle with a very speedy time in the tie-breaking rope-off over Richard Glassford of Quesnel. Prior to that she took second in the second-go and first in the third go.
Several others came close to claiming buckles; however, finished just on the outside looking in.
In bull riding Riske Creek’s Ryan Jasper secured a second-place finish in round one with an 82-point ride, but failed to hang on in either of the next two rounds. Jasper, competing in tie down roping in round two, finished second in 12.9 seconds.
Tie-down roper Willee Twan took second in round one with a 13.6-second time, following that up with another second-place performance (7.3 seconds) in the team roping event with partner Jeff Wills of Quesnel. Twan went on to finish third in round three in 17.3 seconds.
In steer wrestling Wade McNolty started off his run for a championship buckle in strong form capturing second in round one with a 4.9-second run. In round three McNolty took second, besting his first-round time in 4.8 seconds. In round two’s steer wrestling event 150 Mile House’s Rob Everett finished third with a 5.5-second time.
Junior breakaway roper Micole Myers took third in round one with a 6.4-second time. In breakaway roping Denise Swampy finished third in round two with a 4.5-second run, while Allison Everett of 150 Mile House took second in round three in 3.8 seconds.
Meanwhile, junior steer riding Blaine Manuel of 150 Mile House captured third with a 65-point ride in round two, before finishing strong in round three with a 66-point ride, good enough for third. Brianna Billy of Williams Lake took second in the pee wee barrel racing in 17.164 seconds, also in round two.
Kaylan Eeek, in saddle bronc riding, took second in round two with a 71-point ride.
The BCRA Awards Banquet and AGM will wrap up the season in Williams Lake on Saturday, Oct. 27. To reserve tickets or for more information contact the BCRA office at 250-398-4104 or e-mail bcrodeoassn@shaw.ca.