Missouri Rodeo Cowboy Association Finals Highlight MO State Fair

The Missouri State Fair, Sedalia, MO was the site August 7th - 9th of the Missouri Rodeo Cowboy Association (MRCA) 23rd Annual Finals presented by Dodge Championship Rodeo.   For three days the Dodge Arena came to life with the best rodeo competition the MRCA and the state of Missouri has to offer.  The top 15 cowboys and cowgirls in the 2008 standings qualified for the finals with their sights set on the cherished Year-End Championships.  For the personnel of the association being selection to work at the finals is the ultimate recognition for a year of hard work.  This year those selected did a marvelous job of entertaining the capacity crowds as well as keeping the action moving inside the arena.

With 144 contestants competing for not only the championships but the $58,091.08 payout the atmosphere behind the scenes was still one of a family working together to entertain the crowd. It was not unusual to see older athletes mentoring to the younger athletes.  This fellowship was apparent when the members came together Friday morning at 10 AM to give a group of special individuals a chance to enjoy the thrills of the rodeo at the Exceptional Rodeo.  The Exceptional Rodeo allows the cowboys and cowgirls the opportunity to give to the community and is always well attended with lots of smiles and shouts of pure joy.

The Miss MRCA Pageant is another highlight of the three day event.  Each year one lady is selected to represent the association at rodeos, parades and other activities throughout the year.  She is selected for many qualities including horsemanship and speech among others.  Miss MRCA 2009 Queen is Shannon Watson, Blairstown, MO.

This year the livestock for the finals was provided by C-R-McKellips Rodeo of Raymond, MO, High Stakes Productions of Drexel, MO, and Outlaw Productions of Columbia, MO.

Personnel selected for the finals were:

Announcer:  Mark Ficken
Secretary:  Regan McKellips
Timers:  Ronda Grayson & Joey McCollum
Judges:  Larry Gregory & Brian Schaufler
Pickup Men:  Lance McCollum & Justin Patterson
Bullfighters:  Ben Prilwitz & Mick Neimeier
Contract Act:  Bob Courtney

Following the final performance there is an awards ceremony where the members of the association recognize not only the athletes but the livestock that excelled at the finals.  They also take this time to recognize the sponsors who without their support it would not be possible to produce the quality of entertainment the MRCA is known for.

MRCA 2008 FINALS AWARDS
STOCK OF THE FINALS AWARDS
Bareback Horse - "HH"  Harry Houdini - CR McKellips Rodeo Co.
Saddle Bronc Horse - "122" Snake River - CR McKellips Rodeo Co.
Bull - "833" Levenworth - CR McKellips Rodeo Co.

Athlete Awards

Aaron Pennell Memorial Sportsmanship Award - Jamey Bunton
Bill Asbury Spirit Award - Jeff Loeb

Finals Champions:
Bareback - Billy Griffin - 242/3
Calf Roping - Codey Payne - 29.7/3
Breakaway - Paige Magrath - 9.6/3 
Saddle Bronc - Stacy Belt - 241/
Steer Wrestling - Dave Williamson - 29.2/3
Barrel Racing -Sandy Hobbs - 47.628/3
Team Roping - Jeremy Hemann &JR Henderson - 27.5/3
Over 40 Calf Roping - Scott Shelton - 32.3/3
Bull Riding - Danny Schlobohm - 241/3
Finals All Around - Wade Pickerill

APPRECIATION AWARDS
Gold Buckle Sponsor - Dodge Rodeo, Sam Miller
Saddle Sponsors
American Family Ins - Over 40 Calf Roping
Mark's Mobile Glass - Calf Roping
Midwest Roper Supply - Steer Wrestling
Arena Sponsor - Family Center; Gene's Boots & Hats; Jesse James Festival; Committee; Kleinschmidt's Western Store; Riata Leather by Double J Arena,Roger & Debbie Johnson
Roping Box Sponsor - Maxwell Trailer's & Pickup Accessories
Chute Gate Sponsor -The Work Zone; TNT Ranch & Rodeo; Mark Twain Lake Rodeo

After presentation of the finals awards the moment everyone has been working for all year arrives and the Year-End Awards are presented.

Year-End Winners

STOCK OF THE YEAR
Bareback Horse - "402" Kid Rock - Outlaw Rodeo Productions   
Saddle Bronc Horse - "P" Wango Tango - Outlaw Rodeo Productions
Bull - "221" Hey Ya - Outlaw Rodeo Productions

RODEOS OF THE YEAR

Straight MRCA Sanctioned Event
Indian Grove, MO - Arrowhead Saddle Club
Produced by High Stakes Rodeo

New MRCA Event
West Plains, MO - Heart of the Ozarks Fair
Produced by Outlaw Rodeo Productions

Gold Buckle Co-Approved Event
Perry, MO - Mark Twain Lake Rodeo
Produced by Outlaw Rodeo Productions

Silver Buckle Co-Approved Event
Pleasant Hill, MO - Cass County Fair Rodeo
Produced by C-R-McKellips RodeoCo.

Best Ground - Perry, MO
Produced by Outlaw Rodeo Productions

Most Improved Ground - Warsaw, MO
Produced by C-R-McKellips Rodeo Co.

MRCA 2008 YEAR END CHAMPIONS

Finals Results:

1st Go Round - August 7