Louisiana youth takes home bull riding title; Florida native named all-around cowboy

About the only thing hotter than the mid-July sun beaming down on the Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center Saturday was the action during the final day of the International Youth Finals Rodeo. The final day brought the expected as well as some surprises.
Nobody was more surprised than 16-year-old bull rider Jacob O’Mara. O’Mara, who hails from Prairieville, La., scored an 83 on his final ride Saturday to win the go round and emerge as the bull riding champion. “I really didn’t expect to win it,” said O’mara. “I couldn’t have asked for a better bull than the one I got today.”
O’Mara in the first go round scored a 78 but faltered in the second round as he failed to reach the eight-second standard. He more than made up for it when the heat was on in the final go round. There were only three bull riders that went the distance Saturday. Along with O’Mara, Kevin Kieckhefer and Caleb Sanderson were the only cowboys to hang on.
Sanderson, with the third place finish in the bull riding, captured the all-around cowboy title. Along with his bull riding success, the Kissimee, Fla., native captured second place in the saddle bronc. “I’ve only been riding horses for about a year now,” said Sanderson. “I’ve been riding bulls for a long time so I feel much more comfortable on them.” The best all-around cowboy is now on his way to Farmington, N.M., for the high school finals rodeo, which begins this week. He has $3,019.10 in his pockwet from his week of work in Shawnee.
R.A. Brown finished ahead of Sanderson to earn the saddle bronc title. Brown finished with 41 points while Sanderson scored a total of 37.50. Brown, from Stinnett, Texas, was 3-for-3 during the week. He saved his highest finish (74) for last, during Saturday’s final performance. “It was a tough ride today, but I had a good horse,” said Brown. This was Brown’s first trip to the IFYR and his first rodeo win.
Last year Casey Cason took top honors in the bareback bronc. The 19-year-old from Aragon, Ga., backed that title up with another one this year. He scored a 78 Saturday to run away with the title. “I had a real good horse today,” said Cason.
Cason was leading heading into the final round and that is just how he likes it. “It really helps me to have the lead,” said Cason. “That way I know what I need to do.” Cason earned a total of $2,144.52 in the event.
In steer wrestling, Zachary Crawford of Loxley, Ala., garnered top honors. In the second go round Crawford set his personal best time of 3.9. On Saturday he proved that he could go even lower with a time of 3.6. “I just got a good jump and set my best time ever,” said Crawford. The 19-year-old took home a total of $2,916.25.
Locally, Brandon White of Choctaw finished tied for eighth place in bull riding. White had a two-round average of 143 points.