Terrible weather and road conditions couldn't dampen spirits at the 2012 Yorkton New Holland Harvest Showdown Rodeo as the Canadian Cowboys Association hosted its novice finals as well as its first pro events of the 2013 season.
Poor weather kept some riders from Alberta and southern Saskatchewan at home, but CCA General Manager Mark Bencze was pleased with how the event turned out saying, "Despite the poor weather condition we were able to run two very good days of riding and the Yorkton fans were great in coming out and supporting." A nearly full FAA was on hand both nights to cheer on the riders and they were not disappointed as some of Canada's best bull riding talent was on display with the novice titles on the line and the 2012 CCA Finals coming up next week in Regina.
The highlight of the weekend was the Novice Finals as the best young CCA talent came out in hopes of making their mark. The Novice bareback event went to Dantan Bertsch who won $299 for the event while Novice Saddle Bronc went to Keith Lipsett who also won $299. Novice Bull Riding was won by Cody Floyd with Beau Tallis coming in a close second to close out the novice riding season. Bencze was happy with the show the novice riders put on and added, "Promoting the Novice Championship for the 2013 Harvest Showdown will likely be an addition to next year's show."
As for the pro riding events tight competition was abundant with many events being decided by a single point in what was very competitive action. Rhett Fitzpatrick took home the Saddle Bronc spoils over Kirk Thompson by with a score of 146/2 just barely edging Thompson's 143/2 to win the event. Bareback was even closer as Clatyon Strutt won the event with a score of 148/2 with Michael Tuck scoring 147/2 in what was an almost dead even heat of riding.
The CCA has one more event in 2012 with the CCA Finals Rodeo going next week at Agribition in Regina before breaking for the winter. Next CCA action in Yorkton will be the Painted Hand Roughstock Rodeo in the summer an event Bencze said the CCA will be looking forward to, "Yorkton is always a great stop on the CCA tour and we will be looking forward to working with the Yorkton Exhibition for our 50th anniversary season in 2013," concludes Bencze.
