ORA well represented at the Forty-Second IFR in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

 This year at the 42^nd International Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 25 Canadians came to compete. Among the 25 Canadians were 15 Ontario Rodeo Association members. There were also two ORA members from the United States in attendance.

In the bareback riding, Danian Nutt from Parkill, Ontario, covered three of his four broncs with scores of 72.5, 74.75 and 76.5 in rounds 1, 3, and 4, respectively. His total of 223.75 on his three broncs landed him 12^th in the average and 5^th overall in the IPRA 2011 World Standings.

Joseph Courville, who is one of two ORA members who qualified for the IFR from the United States, rode all four of his broncs to give him a total score of 311.25. He finished 5^th in the average and 3^rd in the IPRA world standings for the year.

Moving on to the saddle bronc riding, three of our ORA members qualified: Peter Hallman, Tyler Foster and Rod Weese. In round number two, Rod Weese covered his bronc “Action Cat” for a score of 78.5 placing him in a tie for third place. Rod finished 9^th in the average, and 13^th overall in the standings. Peter Hallman and Tyler Foster finished 11^th and 14^th, respectively, in the 2011 IPRA World Standings.

In the tie-down roping, Ross Scully and Jarod Nooren were the definition of consistent during all four rounds. In the first go round, Ross roped a 10.5 to place 4^th. Jarod had a quick 8.1, but unfortunately broke the barrier. Moving to the 2^nd round, Jarod had a fantastic run of 7.6 to win; 7.6 would also be the second fastest time of the whole weekend. Ross had a nice clean run of 9.7 to keep himself nicely situated in the average. In the third round, Jarod placed third with an 8.0 and Ross had yet another great run of 8.8 positioning him at 3^rd in the average. In the final round, Jarod roped a 10.1 to place 4^th and Ross had a 10.6 leaving him just one spot out of a paycheque. Ross finished the finals off at 2^nd in the average and 3^rd overall in the IPRA world standings. Jarod finished 3^rd in the average and 2^nd overall in the IPRA world standings. Jarod and Ross were two of only four guys to catch all four of their calves.

In the steer wrestling, ORA members Rod Weese and Matt Mousseau qualified. Unfortunately Matt had to turn out after the first round when he injured his leg; but overall finished 7^th in the IPRA world standings after a great season. Rod had a 5.0, 4.0 and 5.0 in rounds 2 through 4, placing him fourth in the third round and tied for 4^th in the final round. With 3 consistent runs, Rod finished 7^th in the average and 4^th overall in the IPRA world standings. Rod also finished 5^th overall in the IFR All-Around standings after having a stellar year competing at both ends of the arena.

Moving on to the team roping, headers Ross Scully and Cody Mousseau qualified as well as heeler, Jarod Nooren. In the first round, Cody and Jarod had a 7.6 to leave them just one spot out of the money. In the second round, they caught in a time of 11.6 seconds. Overall, Cody and Jarod finished 7^th in the average. Cody finished off his 2011 season at 7^th in the world and Jarod at 15^th. Ross Scully teamed up with heeler, Wade Feeny from Broken Arrow, OK. In the third round, they had a great time of 5.8, also falling just short of a paycheque, in 5^th place. Overall, Ross finished 13^th in the average and 14^th in the world as a header.

In the barrel racing, it was the beginning of the IFR family affair with Lisa Gray and Tamaran Mousseau both qualifying. As well, ORA member Laura Lee Thomas from Union City, PA also qualified. Lisa had her best run in the second go round, running a 15.504 and placing 4^th. Overall, she finished 12^th in the world, and 12^th in the average. Tamaran’s best run came in the final go round where she ran a 15.794. She finished 14^th in the average and 13^th in the standings. Laura Lee Thomas placed 2^nd in the 3^rd and 4^th rounds with times of 15.215 and 15.378, respectively. She finished off her 2011 season as 6^th in the world and 8^th in the average.

Next up, one of the most exciting events to witness at this year’s IFR, the breakaway roping. This is the first year breakaway roping was a part of the IFR, and the Canadian girls dominated! The ORA members competing in the breakaway roping were: Sheri Cahill, Teri-Lee Dunk, Lacey Scully and Callie Gray. Although Sheri didn’t have “the finals she had in mind”, she had an incredible year and that solidified her position at the top, being the first ever IPRA World Champion Breakaway Roper! Callie Gray had a great catch in round number 3 to place her 4^th. She finished at 13^th in the average, and the world standings. Teri Lee Dunk caught 3 out of 4 calves, and placed fourth with a 3.5 second run in round number two to help her finish 3^rd in the average; and 8^th overall! Lacey Scully had a great weekend and was the most consistent roper out of all 15 competitors, being the only one to catch all four calves. She roped a 12.5, 4.2, 4.0 and 3.5 in rounds 1 through 4. She finished as IFR#42 Champion breakaway roper!

In the bull riding, Luke McCoag had a tough go against a rank pen of bulls, but his determination and love of the sport showed throughout! Luke finished his incredible 2011 year off at 3^rd in the world.

Other Canadian competitors at IFR42 included:

-         Pat Legault (Ste-Barbe, PQ) in the Bareback riding, finishing 10^th in the average and 4^th overall

-         Sylvan Muenier (St- Polycarbonate, PQ) in the bareback riding, finishing 15^th in the average and 10^th overall

-         Luc Cloutier (St. Tite, PQ) in the Saddle Bronc riding, who was injured in round 1 of the IFR, but finished 7^th overall

-         Dave Doyon (St-Victor, PQ) in the Saddle bronc riding, finishing 9^th overall

-         Edesse Descoteaux (Lorrainville, PQ) in the barrel racing, finishing 3^rd in the average and 4^th overall

-         Martine Desjardins (Carlsbad Springs, PQ) in the barrel racing, finishing 4^th in the average and 5^th overall

-         Shannyka Sylvestre (L’ange-Gardien, PQ) in the barrel racing, finishing 15^th in the average and overall

-         Marc Deslandes (St-Liboire, PQ) in the bull riding, finishing 7^th in the average and 8^th overall

-         Eric Isabelle (Ste-Julienne, PQ) in the bull riding, finishing 10^th overall

-         Ian Charman (Pontypool, ON) in the bull riding, finishing 12^th overall

Congratulations to all of our Ontario Rodeo Association members who traveled down to Oklahoma, you all worked so hard to make it there and you have made Ontario proud!!

Way to represent!

Cassie Luxton

PR Director