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ABCRA National Finals Wrap Up

Published on Thursday, January 31, 2013 in Event Results

The ABCRA National Finals have drawn to an end, and what a week it has been. The National Finals saw some excellent competition with many fast times and high scores being recorded, as well as many arena records being broken. Many titles were decided during the final round of competition, making for a nail biting night, however some were too close to call and had to wait until the completion of the round for the final outcome.

The bucking stock were a highlight of the event with the toughest bulls and broncs from all over the country keeping spectators entertained and making it a challenging four rounds for the competitors to ride for the eight seconds. Saturday’s crowd was exceptional and everyone was on their feet cheering during their favourite events, the atmosphere of the event was extremely adrenaline pumping and competitors were excited to compete in front of the crowd.

Friday night saw the ‘tough enough to wear pink’ night and the entire AELEC Centre was covered in pink ribbons and streamers in support of the NSW Cancer Council. Spectators and competitors both got behind the cause dressing in pink and some even went that extra mile dressing their horses as well. At the end of the night, over $4000 was raised for the NSW Cancer Council.

Entertainment was at an all-time high with many performers including Shandell Tosoni, Kym Hagon’s Horse Show, ‘Big Al’ the Comedy Clown and Wild Fire. There were many specialised trade stalls around the arena offering some of the best shopping found during the Country Music Festival, whether it be a pair of Boulet Boots or some blingy cowgirl jewellery, there was certain to be something that caught your eye. A big screen caught all of the action and replayed some of the highlights and the best moments from throughout each of the rounds.

After four clean and consistent rounds, ABCRA National Finals Rodeo Champions were announced. The Finals Champion All Round Cowgirl was won by Willow Tree’s Nichole Fitzpatrick (pictured) after having a very successful National Finals in all three of her events, the Barrel Race, Breakaway Roping and Steer Undecorating. Brad Pierce was awarded the Finals Champion All Round Cowboy after doing extremely well in both the Bull Ride and Saddle Bronc.

The Finals Champion Steer Undecorator was won by Jo Farquhar after making four fast and consistent runs in this event. Billy-Lee Conroy was the winner of the Finals Champion Breakaway Roper after managing to make four quick catches to secure the Title. Shane Iker who made the long trip from North Queensland was awarded the Finals Champion Steer Wrestler. Heath Nichols who celebrated his 21st Birthday during the Finals was at the top of his game and had four consistent rounds in the Rope & Tie to be awarded the Finals Champion in this event.

In the Team Roping it was Norm Stagg from Tamworth who won the Finals Champion Team Roping Header and Cameron Milner from Rockhampton who was the winner of the Finals Champion Team Roping Heeler.

Robert Bandy rode his way to being named the Finals Champion Saddle Bronc Rider after lasting the eight seconds on each of his four horses and scoring the highest amount of points over the four nights. Darren W. Clarke who has been a past Bareback Champion made four impressive rides to score high enough and be named the Finals Champion Bareback Rider.

Nichole Fitzpatrick rode her young mare Justa around the barrels each night to accrue four very fast times and finish with the quickest average over the four rounds, leading to her being named the Finals Champion Barrel Racer. The Finals Champion Bull Rider was awarded to Brad Pierce after being the only competitor to ride each of his bulls over the four rounds.

The ABCRA Rodeo Rookie Champions proved not to be out done by the veterans of the sport, seeing some of the Rookie’s mixing it with the best and managing to be in the placing’s during the four rounds.

The Rookie Steer Undecorator was won by Attunga’s Teagan Glass after having a very successful year in this event. Jocelyn Faulkner won the Rookie Breakaway Roper after finishing in the number two position in the end of year standings behind the National Champion. Kylie Barnett was the winner of the Rookie Barrel Racer after having a great year aboard horse Brigalow and managed to place in two out of the four rounds at the National Finals.

Jock Bone-Langdon had an impressive year to win the Rookie Steer Wrestler and North Queensland’s junior competitor Campbell Hodson won the Rookie Rope & Tie. The Rookie Team Roping Header was won by Perry Newman and the Rookie Team Roping Heeler went to Joshua Rindfleish.

Mitchell Russell has had a very good year, seeing him secure the Rookie Bareback Rider Title and there’s no doubt we will see him in the winner’s circle for many more years to come. Troy Yarnold was named the Rookie Saddle Bronc Rider and Nathan Burtenshaw won the Rookie Bull Rider.

The Graham Keir Memorial All Round Rookie Cowgirl was won by talented Jocelyn Faulkner and the Graham Keir Memorial All Round Rookie Cowboy was won by Perry Newman.

Hard work, long hours, dedication and commitment are all important aspects of what goes into the making of a Champion. Many competitors compete in the hopes of finishing in that number one position, however it is those who go that extra mile who will come out on top and are awarded with the prestigious Title of being named the National Champion. After twelve months of competition and thousands of miles worth of travelling, the ABCRA National Rodeo Champions have been crowned.

Willow Tree’s Nichole Fitzpatrick was named the Champion Breakaway Roper and Champion Steer Undecorator after having an unbeatable year in both events. Nichole credits her success to having great horses and a great support team including her family and husband Scott. Heath Nichols was named both the Champion Steer Wrestler and Champion Rope & Tie after having a successful year and an impressive National Finals which saw him secure the Titles. Heath is a dedicated and committed competitor who works hard for his success and has given back to the sport by supplying timed event stock and working as a pick up man.

In the Team Roping, the Hallam’s who make their home in Tamworth dominated the event with David being named the Champion Team Roping Header and Blake the Champion Team Roping Heeler.

Walcha competitor Carl Green was named both the Champion Saddle Bronc Rider and Champion Bull Rider after having an exceptional year in both events. Carl went into the National Finals with an unbeatable lead in both events having a combined total of over $35 000 won from throughout this year. Western Australia’s Gerard Oversby who has spent the majority of this year travelling the circuit in New South Wales was named the Champion Bareback Rider after having a good year of competition and a successful National Finals.

Bianca Hertel who is the reigning Champion in this event, continued her success and was named the Champion Barrel Racer for this year, after having a big year and finishing with the most money earned in this event, over $15 000.

Nichole Fitzpatrick has won a combined total of over $28 000 to see her take home the Champion All Round Cowgirl. Nichole had a successful year in each of her events along with a successful National Finals. Carl Green was named the Champion All Round Cowboy after having an unbeatable year in both of his events and securing placing’s at the National Finals to ensure he was the winner of this prestigious Title.

This year’s National Finals saw many records broken, proving the extent of just how high the level of competition was. In the Bareback, Darren W. Clarke scored 85 points aboard Twisted Sister in Round 4 to break the previous record of 83. In the Saddle Bronc, Brad Pierce scored 84 points riding Cheyene Top Girl in Round 4 to set a new record higher than the previous record of 83 points. The Bull Ride saw the previous record of 88 points be broken by Ty Parkinson who managed to score 89 points in Round 3 on Blue Dog Doin Time.

In the Steer Wrestling, Cody Sheahan broke the previous record of 3.71 seconds after managing to time in with 3.52 seconds in Round 3. The Barrel Race was very competitive, however it was Jo Farquhar who stopped the clocks quickest to break the record with a blistering 17.23 seconds in Round 1.

With the Finals done and dusted and all the fantastic awards and prizes given out, competitors will once again be hitting the road on another year long journey to qualify for next year’s ABCRA National Finals. Run by the ABCRA Board, National Finals Committee and Staff, and held each year in January during the Country Music Festival, this is an event to be marked on your calendar as it’s a sure bet the Finals will keep getting bigger and better.

Photo: Yvonne Rice

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