It was a repeat performance in a number of ways at the recent 2016 Kansas Championship Ranch Rodeo in Medicine Lodge.
Previous winners and last year’s top winner at the Working Ranch Cowboys Association (WRCA) Finals, Lonesome Pine Ranch of Cedar Point was again named the champion team in Kansas.
While the arena had vast semblance of a pond, sky cleared for the rodeo and full rainbow had a pot of gold at its base for the Chase County team including Bud Higgs, Troy Higgs, Chris Potter, Travis Duncan, Makenzie Higgs and Frank Higgs.
It was another repeat performance for Lonesome Pine, as team member Chris Potter was recognized as the Top Hand at the rodeo, a feat matched there previously as well as at other locales.
Second place honors went to the Arndt Ranch and Bailey Ranch team from Chase and Lyon countries. Riders include Ryan Arndt, Mike Arndt, Josh Lilley, Wes Bailey, Richell Bailey and Glen Collinge.
Lazy B Ranch from Ellsworth County was third in team standings. The ranch is represented by Eric Bohl, Scott Bohl, Austin Rathbun, Clint Donley, Wayne Bohl and Rhett Bohl.
Cling Donley of the Lazy B Ranch rode Colonel Paddy to receive the American Quarter Horses Association trophy as the Top Horse at the rodeo.
The top two Kansas championship teams had previously won WRCA-sanctioned rodeos qualifying for this year’s WRCA Finals. That opened an opportunity for the third place team, Lazy B Ranch, to also compete at the prestigious Amarillo rodeo.
Scribner Ranch and Diamond P Ranch from Chase and Butler counties joined to collect the fourth place team honors. Riders include John Scribner, David Scribner, Daniel Scribner, Paul Osgood and Derek West.
Stock Ranch and Diamond E Ranch from Bourbon County placed fifth with team members Kolby Stock, Coy Hyer, Andy Eck, Troy Felt and Colton Eck.
The 2016 WRCA World Championship is November 10-13, Amarillo Civic Center Auditorium, 401 S Buchanan Street, Amarillo, Texas.