California Circuit Finals Rodeo Rides into Norco
On Nov. 13-16, 2008 The California Circuit Finals Rodeo brought together the top 12 money-winning California Circuit cowboys and cowgirls from each of the seven rodeo events at the Eddie Moreno Arena at Ingalls Park, Norco. They competed in Bareback Bronc Riding, Tie-down Roping, Steer Wrestling, Saddle Bronc Riding, Team Roping, Women's Barrel Racing, and Bull Riding, with the winner of each event and the overall top money winners for the season qualifying for the Dodge National Circuit Finals in Pocatello, Idaho, in March, 2009.
Even though the three-day Finals opened friday night, some of the competitors got a look at the arena and a feel for the grounds before the main competition. On thursday a Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) approved barrel race for amateurs and professionals was held and included among the contestants Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (WNFR) qualifiers Melanie Southard and Sherrylynn Johnson.
The time before the friday night competition was also busy. The morning began with the bulls and horses being let into the arena. After they had been fed and gotten some exercise, the arena was cleared and about 20 calves were herded in to warm up and get used to the site. The selection process was then begun. Several cowboys took turns chasing and roping the calves. Based on these practice runs 14 calves were picked for the competition.
Following the calves was the Roy Thouvenell Memorial Steer Wrestling contest, named for a Norco resident and pro steer wrestler who died in a traffic accident in 2005. It was won by two-time World Steer Wrestling Champion Luke Branquinho who also participated in the Finals. The pre-rodeo events finished with the 3rd Annual Pro-Am Team Roping on saturday.
More than $75,000 in prize money was awarded for the event as Finals contestants competed all three days, the winners being decided by averaging all three days’ scores. The top animal athletes were provided by California’s five PRCA livestock contractors: Jeff Davis - Four Star Rodeo Company, Cottonwood, Ca; John Growney - Growney Bros Rodeo Company, Red Bluff, Ca; Don Kish - Growney Rodeo Company, Red Bluff, Ca; Cotton Rosser - Flying U Rodeo Company, Marysville, Ca; and Lee Rosser - Rosser Rodeo Company, Wheatland, Ca.
Despite Highway 91 being closed saturday because of the Triangle Complex Fire, the closure did not harm the rodeo. A crowd of 4,000 attended saturday’s performance with some fans having spent two to three hours on the road to get to the rodeo. Those who couldn't make it could use their saturday tickets on sunday. Despite the problems caused by the weather and fires, those who attended were treated to a well-run professional rodeo. If you weren’t able to attend, make it a point to get to next years Finals. You won’t be disappointed.
Contestants in order of finish were:
Bareback Bronc Riding:
First round:
1. Teddy Athan, 81 points on Four Star Rodeo
Company’s Devil’s Dream;
2. Tyson Thompson, 80;
3. Jon Fuller, 62;
4. Tyrel Jones, 59.
Second round:
1. (tie) Teddy Athan on Gold Buckle Rodeo
Company’s Fatal Attraction and Tyson
Thompson on Flying U Rodeo Company’s
Bay Lady, 81 points;
3. Jon Fuller, 69;
4. Tyrel Jones, 68.
Third round:
1. Tyson Thompson, 80 points on Four Star
Rodeo Company’s Rusty Slim;
2. Teddy Athan, 78;
3. Jon Fuller, 72;
4. Tyrel Jones, 64.
Average:
1. Tyson Thompson, 241 points on three head;
2. Teddy Athan, 240;
3. Jon Fuller, 203;
4. Tyrel Jones, 191.
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Steer Wrestling:
First round:
1. Luke Branquinho, 3.7 seconds;
2. Matt Deskovick, 4.2;
3. Brad McGilchrist, 4.8;
4. Stan Branco, 4.9.
Second round:
1. Billy Bugenig, 4.6 seconds;
2. Stan Branco, 5.0;
3. Jeremy Garner, 5.3;
4. Brad McGilchrist, 5.6.
Third round:
1. Billy Bugenig, 4.6 seconds;
2. Charles Harris, 4.7;
3. Levi Rosser, 5.0;
4. Rhett Kennedy, 5.1.
Average:
1. Billy Bugenig, 14.9 seconds on three head;
2. Stan Branco, 15.3;
3. Brad McGilchrist, 15.7;
4. Levi Rosser, 17.2.
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Team Roping:
First round:
1. Waylon McCurley/Joseph Shawnego,
5.4 seconds;
2. Blaine Linaweaver/Brandon Bates,
5.6 seconds;
3. Justin Spence/Jade Corkhill, 6.1 seconds;
4. Cody Mora/Evan Arnold, 7.4 seconds.
Second round:
1. Jake Rodriguez/Gary Ford, 4.6 seconds;
2. Blaine Linaweaver/Brandon Bates,
5.6 seconds;
3. Wade Wheatley/Todd Hampton, 6.2 seconds;
4. Johnny Smith/Josh Wineman, 7.8 seconds.
Third round:
1. Spencer Mitchell/Cody Cowden, 4.8 seconds;
2. Cody Mora/Evan Arnold, 5.4 seconds;
3. Justin Spence/Jade Corkhill, 5.9 seconds;
4. Waylon McCurley/Joseph Shawnego,
7.6 seconds.
Average:
1. Blaine Linaweaver/Brandon Bates,
23.1 seconds on three head;
2. Waylon McCurley/Joseph Shawnego,
23.2 seconds;
3. Pat Boyle/Dennis Watkins, 28.9 seconds;
4. Daniel Green/Caleb Twisselman, 53.7 seconds. |
Saddle Bronc Riding:
First round:
1. Justin Arnold, 83 points on Four Star Rodeo’s
Twelve O’ Clock Rock;
2. Joaquin Real, 79 points;
3. (tie) Roy Johnson, Brandon Bias and
Scott Miller, 76 points.
Second round:
1. Scott Miller, 77 points on Gold Buckle
Rodeo’sBilly The Kid;
2. Jake Huserik, 55 points.
Third round:
1. Scott Miller, 81 points on Gold Buckle Rodeo
Company’s Blame Game;
2. Nick Laduke, 79 points;
3. Matt Marvel, 76 points;
4. (tie) Ad Bugenig and Elliot French, 75 points.
Average:
1. Scott Miller, 234 points on three head;
2. Joaquin Real, 153 points;
3. Elliot French, 149 points;
4. Brandon Bias, 145 points. |
Tie-down roping (“Calf Roping”):
First round:
1. Mike Johnson, 9.1 seconds;
2. Chris Wooten, 9.5 seconds;
3. Wes Lockard, 10.2 seconds;
4. J.D. Miller, 10.4 seconds.
Second round:
1. Blake Hirdes, 8.3 seconds;
2. Casey Branquinho, 8.4 seconds;
3. Jesse Egan, 8.5 seconds;
4. Jason Vohs, 8.9 seconds.
Third round:
1. J.D. Miller, 8.2 seconds;
2. Jason Vohs, 9.0 seconds;
3. Jesse Egan, 9.7 seconds;
4. Mike Johnson, 10.4 seconds.
Average:
1. J.D. Miller, 30.0 seconds on three head;
2. Chris Wooten, 30.6;
3. Jesse Egan, 32.2;
4. Casey Branquinho, 34.1.
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Barrel Racing:
First round:
1. Nellie Williams, 16.49 seconds;
2. Stacy Dial, 16.61 seconds;
3. Danyelle Campbell, 16.64 seconds;
4. Rachael Myllymaki, 16.71 seconds.
Second round:
1. Melanie Southard, 16.29 seconds;
2. Stacy Dial, 16.39 seconds;
3. Lyndee Stairs, 16.53 seconds;
4. Rachael Myllymaki, 16.60 seconds.
Third round:
1. Stacy Dial, 16.51 seconds;
2. Danyelle Campbell, 16.62 seconds;
3. Nellie Williams, 16.68 seconds;
4. Lyndee Stairs, 16.75 seconds.
Average:
1. Stacy Dial,
2. Nellie Williams,
3. Danyelle Campbell,
4. Rachael Myllymaki
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Bull riding:
First round:
1. Bobby Roberts, 85 points on Gold Buckle
Rodeo Company’s Deal Or No Deal;
2. Johnny Allen, 83;
3. (tie) Thomas Bert and Evan Matthews, 69.
Second round:
1. Shane Gordon, 82 points on Gold Buckle
Rodeo Company’s Alabama Hot Pocket;
2. Thomas Bert, 80;
3. Josh Verburg, 79;
4. Colin McTaggart, 77.
Third round:
1. (tie) Brady Scott Williams on Four Star Rodeo
Company’s Culprit and Jacob Tyner on Gold
Buckle Rodeo Company’s 82 points;
3. Josh Verburg, 77;
4. Colin McTaggart, 69.
Average:
1. Josh Verburg, 156 points on two head;
2. Thomas Bert, 149;
3. Colin McTaggart, 146;
4. Johnny Allen, 83 points on one head
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Total payoff: $91,352
Stock contractors:
Four Star Rodeo Company
Growney Bros Rodeo Company
Flying U Rodeo Company
Rosser Rodeo Company
Western Rodeo Company
Rodeo secretary: Cindy Moreno
Timers:Traci Mitchell and
Sharon De La Grange,
Announcer: Chad Nicholson
Clowns/bullfighters: Eric Layton and
Tim O’Connor
Barrelman: Charlie "Too Tall" West
Pick-Up Men:Jeff Shearer and Flint Hemsted
Chute Bosses:
Timed Event Chute Boss: Tony Amaral
Rough Stock Chute Boss: Casey Volin
Arena Crew Boss: Dave Vidal
Rodeo Medical Staff:
Justin Sports Medicine Team
American Medical Response
ProSports Chiropractic
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California Circuit Finals Rodeo Photos
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