Northern California National Finals Qualifier
Over the weekend of September 20-22, the Northern California National Finals Qualifier for the ACTRA was held at Rollinghills Equestrian Center in Corning, California. This thrilling event determined which competitors would advance to the 2024 Wrangler and Professional’s Choice ACTRA National Finals in Reno. Sponsored by MD BarnMaster, Resistol, MY Chevrolet, Wrangler, Professional’s Choice, Rope Smart, Ropers Sports News, Scott Thomas Custom Saddles, Ken Paddock, Yeti, Cactus Ropes, and Fastback Ropes, the event showcased the region’s best roping talent in various categories.
Prizes Overview:
In the #7 category, outstanding prizes were awarded to the top competitors:
– First Place: Tres Rios buckles and Scott Thomas saddles
– Second Place: Scott Thomas breast collar
– Third Place: Scott Thomas leather bronc halter
– Fourth Place: Professional’s Choice bit
– Fifth Place: Yeti cup
Fastest Time awards included:
– First Place: Embroidered ACTRA chair
– Second Place: Wrangler gift card or Cactus/Fast Back rope
**2 Cap Draw Results**
The 2 Cap Draw event showcased exceptional performances, with the following winners:
– Round 1
1st Place: Jared Ross & Brett VanStavern, Time: 8.13, Payoff: $300 each
2nd Place: Nathan Wohld & Shane Radelfinger, Time: 8.52, Payoff: $200 each
3rd Place: Ryan Taiairoi & Cuatro Sanchez, Time: 8.58, Payoff: $100 each
– Shortgo
1st Place: Mathew Burgess & Earl Robbins, Time: 7.50, Payoff: $100 each
– Average Results
1st Place: Nathan Wohld & Cliff Wilbanks, Time: 27.48, Payoff: $1,000 each
2nd Place: Paige Littrell & Harley Milliken, Time: 32.71, Payoff: $850 each
3rd Place: Stacey Brooks & Thomas Wood, Time: 35.08, Payoff: $650 each
4th Place: Paige Littrell & Brett VanStavern, Time: 38.49, Payoff: $480 each
5th Place: Mathew Burgess & Earl Robbins, Time: 39.48, Payoff: $300 each
6th Place: Brayden Merrick & Casey Robertson, Time: 43.02, Payoff: $180 each
Anyway, needless to say, we had another GREAT roping! We paid out over $422,000.00 in Prize Money & gave away another $16,500.00 in Awards from Gist Engravers, Cactus “Pulling” Breast Collars & Best Ever Pads & Splint Boots with a total payout for winnings & awards totaling over $438,000.00 Not bad for a 4 day roping.
Oh yah, I forgot to mention that this year (2024) we decided to have a 4 day roping instead of a 3 day roping like we usually do because last year with 196 teams less, we were starting at 9am in the morning & not finishing up that days ropings until 1:30am to 3:30 am. Yes, they were long days but everyone was still very happy! But because we didn’t want our roping to be a marathon, we decided to add 1 more day to our calendar. It proved to be a great improvement because we all actually got to eat dinner every nite. This is the first time we’ve had a 4 day roping since the good ‘ol days of Indio & City of Industry when we were still putting on USTRC ropings.
So thank you to everyone who showed up and roped! It’s all of you that make this such a successful roping.


**5.5 Handicap Results**
The 5.5 Handicap category featured close competition:
– Round 1
1st Place: Larry Williams & Ronnye Garcia, Time: 6.16, Payoff: $275 each
2nd Place: Wesley Burgess & Blake VanStavern, Time: 6.78, Payoff: $175 each
3rd Place: Jake Pickering & Jeff Sparrowk, Time: 7.21, Payoff: $100 each
– Shortgo
1st Place: Scott Evans & Ty Morrill, Time: 11.79, Payoff: $120 each
– Average Results
1st Place: Daren Lowry & Justin Stacy, Time: 37.86, Payoff: $1,100 each
2nd Place: David Rosenthal & Blair Wheatley, Time: 38.70, Payoff: $900 each
3rd Place: Willie Worley & Brett VanStavern, Time: 44.00, Payoff: $780 each
4th Place: Kylyn Watkins & Ken Cook, Time: 44.39, Payoff: $580 each
5th Place: Justin Burgess & Hunter Lowry, Time: 45.26, Payoff: $420 each
6th Place: Kaley Schorovsky & Ryan Fowler, Time: 49.78, Payoff: $250 each
7th Place: Daniel Owen & JT Stinson, Time: 50.28, Payoff: $170 each

**6 Handicap Down Results**
The 6 Handicap Down category produced impressive performances:
– Round 1
1st Place: Collin Snyder & Branstan Joseph, Time: 6.14, Payoff: $400 each
2nd Place: Daren Lowry & Joe Gagliardi, Time: 7.24, Payoff: $250 each
3rd Place: Maisie Heffernan & Wyatt Bullivant, Time: 7.43, Payoff: $150 each
– Shortgo
1st Place: Justin Burgess & Chris Burgess, Time: 6.99, Payoff: $100 each
– Average Results
1st Place: Collin Snyder & Branstan Joseph, Time: 36.39, Payoff: $1,200 each
2nd Place: Wendy Sparrowk & Jeff Sparrowk, Time: 36.42, Payoff: $1,000 each
3rd Place: Alex Evans & JT Stinson, Time: 36.69, Payoff: $800 each
4th Place: Colt Bray & Blake VanStavern, Time: 37.76, Payoff: $600 each
5th Place: Justin Burgess & Chris Burgess, Time: 38.40, Payoff: $430 each
6th Place: Scott Evans & Dusty Bravos, Time: 39.70, Payoff: $250 each
7th Place: Daren Lowry & Blair Wheatley, Time: 41.11, Payoff: $150 each

**7 Handicap Pick 1/Draw 1 Results**
The 7 Handicap Pick 1/Draw 1 category displayed top-notch skills:
– Round 1
1st Place: Tanner Kent & Stoney Boy Joseph, Time: 6.03, Payoff: $150 each
2nd Place: Justin Stacy & Daniel Green, Time: 6.59, Payoff: $100 each
– Shortgo
1st Place: Tanner Kent & Stoney Boy Joseph, Time: 5.37, Payoff: $100 each
– Average Results
1st Place: Chris Awa & Stoney Boy Joseph, Time: 32.84, Payoff: $800 each
2nd Place: Wyatt Bullivant & Hunter Lowry, Time: 32.93, Payoff: $460 each
3rd Place: Cole Hook & Ethan Awa, Time: 33.82, Payoff: $300 each
4th Place: Eli Green & Daniel Green, Time: 34.04, No Payoff
5th Place: Blake VanStavern & Stoney Boy Joseph, Time: 36.98, No Payoff
**Super 7 Handicap Down Results**
In the Super 7 Handicap Down category, ropers brought their best to the arena:
– Round 1
1st Place: Willie Worley & Cash Worley, Time: 7.41, Payoff: $300 each
2nd Place: Justin Burgess & Chris Burgess, Time: 7.50, Payoff: $200 each
3rd Place: Justin Schuette & JT Stinson, Time: 7.70, Payoff: $100 each
– Shortgo
1st Place: Jamie Anthony & Brian Humphry, Time: 6.36, Payoff: $200 each
– Average Results
1st Place: Justin Schuette & Scott Harvey, Time: 39.15, Payoff: $1,600 each
2nd Place: Jamie Anthony & Blake VanStavern, Time: 39.78, Payoff: $1,250 each
3rd Place: Willie Worley & Justin Stacy, Time: 40.56, Payoff: $870 each
4th Place: Cole Hook & Ronny Garcia, Time: 44.74, Payoff: $550 each
5th Place: Daren Lowry & Justin Stacy, Time: 45.60, Payoff: $320 each
Special Mentions
The RopeSmart Dummy Roping Champs brought young talent to the forefront, with Zane Machado leading the 6-9 age group and Jeffrey Tucker dominating the 10-12 category.
This thrilling Northern California Qualifier sets the stage for what promises to be an exciting Wrangler and Professional’s Choice ACTRA National Finals in Reno. Congratulations to all the winners and participants for their exceptional performances!