By Tracey Scott
Special To Ropers Sports News

PLYMOUTH, CA – The phrase March Miracles hardly describes the late rains that CA has received this past month but miracles they are, bringing much needed moisture to all. Another miracle is that Challenge of Champions could go on despite so much rain. The Amador County Fairgrounds arena is not your ordinary arena and after receiving 7 to 9 inches of rain before and during the event, we were still able to hold the 21st  Annual Challenge.

The weather forecasters like to call it an atmospheric river, when the rain lines up and just keeps coming. In rodeo, we call it a mess. There is only one thing that stops a rodeo, safety for contestant and livestock. And it is surprising how that arena can take all the ‘river’ mother nature has to offer.  ‘It was a good competition’ stated Rocky Steagall, National Director serving his third year. And that it was. It made for great photo ops and lots of stained jeans. 

For the first time there was Reined Cow Horse this year. A new event to CHSRA and NHSRA. Being added 3 years ago, CHSRA has gained contestants and went from having an offsite RCH finals to including it in the State Finals in Bishop and now adding it to the event list at Challenge of Champions. Craig Williams, Challenge of Champions producer, enlisted the help of Ramona and Ken Wold to help prepare the arena, secure cattle, a judge and make it a fine RCH competition.

Craig, who puts his heart and soul into this event all year around, shared “ I was pleased with The Challenge, it was a really great year”. Craig has also been instrumental in bringing on board The Jackson Rancheria Casino as the title sponsor and they have been faithful to support the kids for all 21 years.

This event is always the lead in to the state rodeos., both the CJHRD, held in Red Bluff in May, (California Jr. High Rodeo Division) and the High School finals held in Bishop in June and then both divisions top 4 continue on to Nationals during the summer. To see the short round, go to chsra.com and click on the events tab.

It is an enjoyable muddy mess. The All Around Champions this year were Andee Poole District 6 and Bailey Small District 1. Cargill sponsored a $500 scholarship for both boy and girl AA. It takes a lot of volunteers, directors and supportive parents to keep CHSRA going and we tip our hats to all of them. 

Results follow with placing, competitor, district, and average score.

BAREBACK RIDING

1. Chase Shrode, 7, 125

2. Brent Applegarth, 3, 117

3. Tristan Naccarato, 4, 112

Barrel Racing

1. Janis Osbrink, 9, 33.38

2. Masey Minton, 1, 33.45

3. Allison Inderbieten, 9, 33.45

4. Erin Shipley, 6, 33.84

5. Payton Bladow, 8, 33.88

6. Madison Camozzi, 4, 34.05

7. Mackenzie Moore, 1, 38.74

8. Rylee George, 5, 38.75

9. Lauryn Bairos, 5, 38.93

10. Stevie Mae Scott, 3, 43.73

Breakaway

1. Andee Poole, 6, 5.69

2. Rylee George, 5, 6.05

3. Hannah Steagall, 6, 7.24

4. Cori Burdett, 8, 8.08

5. Gwen Johnson, 1, 8.55

6. Sadie Noblitt, 7, 15.28

7. Whitlee Burgess, 5, 16.22

8. Jillian Murray, 4, 24.35

Bull Riding

1.TJ Gray, 1, 179

2. Seth Thompson, 5, 177

3. Chase Shrode, 7, 170

Boys Cutting

1. Philip Knierieme, 5, 289

2. Chance Leatherman, ,7 288

3. Caden Grisedale, 6, 277

4. Trevor Soto, 9, 276

5. George Becker, 3, 276

6. Pierce Wold, 3, 274

7. Cole Bunting, 1, 274

8. Jared Javadi, 7, 267

9. Trey Baker, 5, 260

10. Allen Battle, 5, 260

Girls Cutting

1. Taylor Strohl, 6, 298

2. Makayla Farkas, 9, 289

3. Erin Shipley, 6, 290

4. Masey Minton, 1, 287

5. Mckenna Wood, 4, 288

6. Sadie Noblitt, 7, 281

7. Janis Osbrink, 9, 283

8. Tatum Hurley, 4, 272

9. Lacey Geiger, 9, 280

10. Teigan Mund, 2, 269

Goat Tying

1. Maggie Usher, 7, 15.11

2. Payton Scalzo, 8, 15.37

3. Makayla Farkas, 9, 16.71

4. Kyndall Green, 5, 16.77

5. Ryley Asbell, 8, 17.10

6. Masey Minton, 1, 17.49

7. Cori Burdett, 8, 17.92

8. Jessica Dickens, 9, 17.93

9. Lacey Geiger, 9, 18.18

10. Andee Poole, 6, 19.09

Pole Bending

1. Fallon Ruffoni, 7, 41.8

2. Andee Poole, 6, 42.0

3. Kyndall Green, 5, 43.4

4. Olivia Largent, 1, 43.6

5. Emily Mayo, 2, 44.1

6. Madison Deardorf, 5, 44.3

7. Maggie Usher, 7, 46.4

8. Payton Scalzo, 8, 52.0

9. Cade Browning, 2, 44.7

10. Makenna Batchelder, 9, 48.3

Saddle Bronc

1. Karson Mebane, 5, 158

2. Bailey Small, 1, 123

3. Twyster Hurley, 4, 123

4. Tristan Naccarato, 4, 110

5. Trey Petersen, 6, 107

Steer Wrestling

1. Davis Mardesich, 3, 11.21

2. Ronan Hice, 5, 13.45

3. Bailey Small, 1, 18.02

4. Cody Stewart, 1, 20.46

5. Tanner Darst, 1, 23.16

6. Jacey Gorden, 1, 29.49

Team Roping

1. Clay Simons and Blayne Twisselman, 7, 19.77. 2. Wyatt Sutton and Avery Lopez, 8, 20.2. 3. Drew Tilton and Tanner Darst, 1, 22.06. 4. Brock Grashuis and Logan Anseth, 3, 22.67. 5. Cobie Dodds and Cole Dodds, 6, 31.42

TIE DOWN ROPING

1. Cobie Dodds, 6, 25.71

2. Wyatt Smith, 3, 27.04

3. Tate Borba, 5, 28.08

4. Cole Dodds, 6, 28.08

5. Trevor Soto, 9, 28.1

6. Leland King, 4, 34.58

Pierce Wold was the winner of the Reined Cow Horse competition. – Photo by Larry Smith/PhotoFast

Karson Mebane, D5, was the winner of the saddle bronc riding. – Photo by Larry Smith/PhotoFast

Ronan Hice, D5, took quite a tumble in the saddle bronc riding, but rallied to win second in the average of the steer wrestling.  – Photo by Larry Smith/PhotoFast