The top 15 competitors from throughout the Australian Bushmen’s Campdraft and Rodeo Association (ABCRA) season face off at the annual National Finals and it was two Riverina riders that stole the show in the juniors.

Wagga’s Ally Morphett won the 11-14 years barrel racing, while Gundagai’s Chase Russell claimed the under 11 division.

Morphett won riding her horse, Moe, just 12 months after taking up the sport. She recorded the quickest time of 18.06 seconds and claimed the aggregate title as well.

Russell, riding Matey, won both rounds to take the aggregate title and recorded the quickest time of 17.86 seconds. He did this despite being the youngest competitor at the finals.

Morphett needed to win her last two rodeos to make the top 15 and did so to scrape through by half a point.

She then continued her good form on Moe with a big win at the National Finals.

“It was amazing,” Morphett said.

“We’ve been planning it for about eight months, ever since I started rodeo, this has been my goal.

“I only just got in because I had a real bad season. I didn’t know Moe real well and just at the end of the season, we sort of just clicked.

“My horse hasn’t really got the best technique, everyone used to bag me out because Moe wasn’t the best at it but all I just had to ride him the way he was. It took a bit to work out.”

Michelle Russell said her son Chase was ‘absolutely rapt’ to win the National Finals buckle.

Riverina also enjoyed some success in the seniors with Ryley Menz winning the rookie barrel racing title.