North Queensland strongly represent junior rodeo

It was the first time the national finals had been hosted in north Queensland after being held in northern New South Wales and south east Queensland for the last 16 years.

The change was offered out for tender with Charters Towers sealing the competition for 2017.

National director, Lana Carney-Wicks, said it was a great opportunity to showcase the talent north Queensland had to offer.

“Being able to host this competition in this area opened doors for the competitors who usually wouldn’t be able to attend,” she said.

“The majority of placings were taken by north Queensland participants and the top four competitors from each category have automatically qualified to compete in America.

“It would not have been possible to host it in Charters Towers if it wasn’t for the Western Riding Club at Cloncurry and the Normanton Rodeo Committee.

“To get that amount of children together and compete was a massive effort.”

Majority of the other competitors travelled from New South Wales, Victoria and Northern Territory.

“Our numbers were even compared to last year,” Ms Carney-Wicks said.

“We like to thank the parents each year as we understand the amount of kilometres they endure each rodeo season to allow their children to compete.”

Although this was the national final for Australia it was a state final for the American rodeo finals as the competition is part of the National High School Rodeo Association (America).

The top four placings from the Australian finals have automatically qualified for the American High School Rodeo to take place in June and July.

Competitors and their families were given two weeks to decide if they would travel to America. Once numbers are finalised the Australian teams will be made.

National Junior High Finals Rodeo will be held in Lebanon, Tennessee on June 18-24, 2017

National High School Finals Rodeo will be held in Gillette, Wyoming on July 16-22, 2017.

The Australian High School Rodeo placings are as follows.

The Junior Division results include;

Barrel Race:

1. Katelyn Simpson

2. Tessa Storeman, Cloncurry

3. Brandee Ferguson, Cloncurry

4. Holly Forster, Winton

Girls Breakaway:

1. Maisey Hetherington, Cloncurry

2. Brandee Ferguson, Cloncurry

Pole Bending:

1. Katelyn Simpson

2. Tessa Storeman, Cloncurry

3. Brandee Ferguson, Cloncurry

4. Holly Forster, Winton

Girls Dummy Goat:

1. Maisy Hetherington, Cloncurry 

2. Holly Forster, Winton

3. Brandee Ferguson, Cloncurry

4. Grace Palmer

Boys Breakaway:

1. Maddix Lovett Boys

Dummy Goat:

1. Maddix Lovett

2. Daniel Simpson

Junior Bull riders:

1. Lachlan Little

2. Daniel Simpson

3. Clayton Carlson

Team Roping:

1. Maddix Lovett and Brandee Ferguson, Cloncurry 

Ribbon Roping:

1. Holly Forster (Maddix Lovett), Winton

2. Brandee Ferguson (Maddix Lovett), Cloncurry

3. Maisey Hetherington (Clayton Carlson), Cloncurry

4. Katelyn & Daniel Simpson

All-round Cowboy: Maddix Lovett

All-round Cowgirl: Brandee Ferguson, Cloncurry

Rookie All-round Cowboy: Daniel Simpson

Rookie All-round Cowgirl: Holly Forster, Winton

The High Division placings include;

Barrel Race:

1. Rowena Dillon

2. Caity Palmer

3. Halana Haber

4. Emmy Gallager, Normanton

Goat Tying:

1. Emmy Gallagher, Normanton

2. Rowena Dillon

3. Caity Dillon

Pole Bending:

1. Emmy Gallagher, Normanton

2. Rowena Dillon

3. Caity Palmer

Breakaway Roping:

1. Rowena Dillon

2. Kelly Jo Litchfield, Cloncurry

3. Caity Palmer

Tie Down:

1. Jack Winsper, Cloncurry

2. Corhan Remfrey, Cloncurry

Saddle Bronc:

1. Sam Randle

Bull ride:

1. Donovan Rutherford, Mount Isa

2. Sam Woodall

3. Joe Down 

4. Jack Woodall

All-round Cowboy: Jack Winsper, Cloncurry

All-round Cowgirl: Rowena Dillon

Rookie all-round cowboy: Jack Winsper, Cloncurry

Rookie All-round Cowgirl: Emmy Gallagher, Normanton