Quesnel bull riders replicated their 2018 success at the Williams Lake Indoor Rodeo this year.
They finished first, third and fourth for the second year in a row. While the names might have changed, the winning ways continued.
Denton Spiers, who was the last rodeo competitor for the whole weekend (April 26-28), had a transcendent ride to grasp first place.
Sitting atop Ill Will, he clung on valiantly as the bull spun around right out of the gate.
After two bucking circles, Ill Will leaped in the air twice before the buzzer went off and Spiers dismounted like a gymnast performing an easy vault.
“It’s good to get the first one under the belt,” says Spiers nonchalantly. “Hopefully I can keep the ball rolling for the rest of the season.”
His Quesnel crew fared very well too. Lane Paley placed third and Eric O’Flynn, younger brother of recently retired rider Matt O’Flynn, nabbed himself a fourth place finish.
“We’ve got some pretty good guys in Quesnel,” Spiers says, “We’re all friends and we’re always pushing each other to do better.”
“Lane [Cork] and I used to practice together lots and ride the drop barrel, so that helps big time I think.”
While many might have felt a load of pressure having to ride last, Spiers says it did not affect him much.
“I just took it like any other bull. Just get on, try to get him rode and win some money hopefully.”
And win some money he did. The victory will put around $1,200 into the full-time student’s pocket.
“It’ll help me out,” he says, chuckling, “I needed it.”
Up next for Spiers will be two Bull Riders Canada events in Albert this weekend and the Clinton May Ball Rodeo at the end of May.
Also finding some success at the event, was Steve Lloyd, who finished second in tie-down roping. He was narrowly beaten out by pro-rodeo hall-of-famer Mike Beers and ended up with a time of 16 seconds.
Isaac Janzen took second place in junior steer riding. The young rodeo competitor could be a name to look out for in bull riding if he continues to improve.
In junior barrel racing action, Kira Stowell placed second. It was the first big event she has competed at with her new horse Amigo, so will be taken as a sign of good things to come for the pair.
READ MORE: Quesnel’s best rodeo athletes travel to Williams Lake for first event of BCRA season
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