The future of rodeo looks bright in the Nicola Valley following the winning of two provincial Little Britches titles by promising, young cowboys from the area.
Quilchena’s Wyatt Smith, 10, and 13-year-old Armoni McRae from Douglas Lake captured the junior and senior boys divisions of B.C. Little Britches Rodeo respectively. They received brand new trophy saddles for their outstanding achievements at an awards ceremony held in Barriere on September 20.
The 2014 B.C. Little Britches season ran from May to September, and consisted of eight rodeos in different communities around the province. Merritt hosted an event on June 14 and 15.
Junior and senior competitors accumulated points at each rodeo with the year-end title going to the individual who earned the most points in total.
Over the course of the season, Smith finished first overall in both junior boys steer riding and goat-tail tying, and placed second in dummy roping and stake race for a winning total of 358 points. Second went to Justin Weaver from Kamloops with 329 points.
McRae competes in the senior boys calf-tying event. Ian Webster/Herald
In the senior boys division, McRae totalled 297 points to finish on top, followed by Savona’s Ryan-Spur Reid with 250.5 points.
McRae’s stellar season was highlighted by a perfect 10-for-10 record in the stake race, good for 120 points — the maximum possible in a season.
McRae also finished first in senior boys calf tying, as well as third in chute dogging and fifth in breakaway roping.
Smith in the junior boys steer riding. Ian Webster/Herald
Adding to McRae’s accomplishments this year, the Douglas Lake youngster also placed first in the senior co-ed steer riding with five first-place finishes and a points total of 77. It was Reid in second again with 64.5 points.
Little Britches rodeo is a place for young cowboys and cowgirls to get a start in rodeo. It is a family-oriented sport that benefits its young participants in several ways — including the responsibility they learn through the caring for their animals, as well as the respect, camaraderie and sportsmanship they gain as competitors.
