Virgil Poffenroth was the best in Tie-Down Roping last year, and he was the best again in this year’s Tie-Down Roping at the Quesnel Rodeo.
The Cowboy from Riske Creek set the fastest times in Tie-Down on both days. Setting a run of 9-flat on Saturday. Then went last with a reverse order start on Championship Sunday, where he set the fastest time of the day again with a 10.92. Taking the Gold Buckle with a total of 19.92.
It was a contentious Tie-Down Roping category this year. The Braaten boys from 150 Mile House were the only two cowboys who set times on Sunday.
Chad Braaten, from 150 Mile House, took second place with a 14.6 run on Saturday, then a 12-flat on Sunday for a 26.6 total. Cody Braaten took third, with a 22.0 on the first day of competition, and 16.22 on Sunday, for a total of 38.2.
The Quesnel cowboys competing in Tie-Down Roping had a spell of bad luck on Sunday. They all struck out against their calves and ended up not setting any times on the final day.
Chetwynd’s Chase Siemens took the Buckle in Bareback Bronc, with a total score of 231 between the two days.
Jared Marshall from Prince George came second in Bareback Bronc with a total score of 229.
In Saddlebronc, only two cowboys were bucked off their horses. Jared Cooper from Spallumcheen scored an 81 on his ride on Championship Sunday. Combining with his Saturday ride of 153, Cooper took hte Gold City Classic Buckle with a total of 234.
Brody Hale from Dorothy, Alberta, was second in Saddlebronc with a total score of 147.
Zach Kemp out of Prince George, took the Gold in Steer Wrestling. Kemp set a 5.3 on Saturday, then a 5.90 on Sunday for an 11.20.
Kemp just barely beat out Quesnel’s Chase Kohorst for the Buckle. Kohorst had the provisional Buckle with a 7.1 on Day 1, then set a 4.60 for a total of 11.7. Finishing in second place.
Tanner Loring won his second Gold City Classic buckle for Junior Steer Riding with a total of 148.
Tye Cunningham from Williams Lake, and Devin Tubbs from Savona tied for second with totals of 132 apiece.
Danica Bussiere out of Vernon won Breakaway Roping with a 4.7 on the first day, then set the fastest time on the final day with a 3.17.
In second was Holly Reid from Monte Lake with a 3.9 and then a 4.09.
Denton Spiers from Quesnel, and Carey Isnardy from Cache Creek won the #8.5 Team Roping with a 10.7 on the first day, and a 7.1 for a fastest total time of 17.8.
Prince George’s Kiera Gillette was the best in Ladies Barrel Racing. It was a close competition, but Gillette won with a 16.522 seconds.
Three racers scored in 16.9 seconds. Kim Meise from Prince George came second with a 16.934 seconds. Odessa Blackwell from Savona was third with a 16.943-second run. Then Kirstin Bell out of Cache Creek was fourth overall, setting a time of 16.978.
Quesnel’s Kenzie Lloyd rounded out the top 5 Barrel Racers with a 17.141 on Sunday.
Braidey Hinsche from 150 Mile House won the Buckle in Junior Barrel Racing, setting a time of 17.068, and nearly six tenths faster than the runner-ups.
Next fastest was Rowan Mceachern out of Prince George’s with a 17.626.
Ellie Hill was one point one second faster than her runner-up in the PeeWee Barrel Racing.
The Lake City’s Hill had a final run of 17.415, and Grace Poffenroth came second with an 18.536.
Quesnel’s Brock Lawlor came out with gold in the Junior Breakaway Roping. Lawlor set the fastest times on both days, with a 2.88 on Saturday, then a 2.9 on Championship Sunday.
150 Mile’s Rowdy McNolty was the only other cowboy and cowgirl who set a time in Junior Breakaway Roping. McNolty set a 4.8 on Saturday, and a 4.2 on Sunday.
Married couple Rika Antoine and Jonah Antoine from Cache Creek won the Buckles for Team Roping. The Antoine’s set times of 6.5 on Saturday and 6.9 on Sunday.
The calves were crafty and clever on Sunday, with only the Antoines and two other teams setting times.
Vanderhoofs Jason Beier and Riley Olin had a chance for a good run, but were given a five-second penalty, which took them out of the competition.
Bobby Louis from Vernon, and Mark Pozzobon from Savona came second with a 6.1 run on the first day, then an 8.12 on Sunday.
And for the grand event of Bull Riding. There were many buck-offs, and one major close call with 100 Mile’s Connor Glueck.
Glueck was bucked off a bull named Buck Wheat, who stomped on and then charged Glueck. Glueck was able to get up and out of the way thanks to the help of the Bull Fighters. Glueck had what looked like minor injuries with the help of the Bull Fighters.
Prince George’s Decker Passey was the victor in Bull Riding. Passey was the only rider to set a score on both days. Passey scored an 81 on Saturday, then ended the game on Sunday with a 71, for a total of 151.
The only other Bull Rider to set a score on Sunday was Elias Gomez from all the way down in Tequila, Mexico. As the Highest Scorer for the day, Gomez did take home a little prize money in Aggregate Pay.
The Justin Zimmerlee team took home some buckles from winning the Wild Horse Race.
The Sunday 50/50 Draw came to a jackpot of $4465.
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