Cowboy Curt Martindale from the Douglas Lake Ranch’s southern section took first place at the Top Hand competition in Barriere on the weekend.

The event was part of the annual Provincial Winter Fair that is held in the North Thompson community.

“There were 12 cowboys and cowgirls in total from various ranches in the southern Interior and Cariboo regions,” event organizer Steve Brewer said.

Each day, six participants took part in reining, doctoring, roping and riding events that simulated the everyday activities of a working cattle ranch.

Second place in the Top Hand competition went to Ed Russell from the River Ranch outside Williams Lake, and third to Cameron Jacobs from the Douglas Lake Chapperon division.

Other participants from the Nicola Valley were Douglas Lake’s Sam Woodman, Chance Holmes and Charlie Peasley, along with Mark Elliott from the Nicola Ranch.

The Provincial Winter Fair also hosted a ranch hand saddle bronc competition with eight willing participants.

When the dust had settled and the cowboys had picked themselves up, it was Douglas Lake’s Wolter van der Kamp who emerged victorious with rides of 81 and 74 points for a two-head average of 77.5.

Second place in the saddle bronc went to former Merritt resident Joe Roberson, and third to Jacobs.

Jorry Holmes was also a local competitor in the saddle bronc competition.