TOP HAND at this year's Working Ranch Cowboy Association World Championship Rodeo was Brad Wilson of Wilson Cattle Company, Lemoyne, Neb. Wilson scored a 78 on this ride.

Wilson, Jamison Ranches Prevail
At Working Cowboy Rodeo Finals

By David Bowser

AMARILLO — The reigning champions reined in another win at this year's Working Ranch Cowboy Association's World Championship Ranch Rodeo here.

The Wilson Cattle Company and Jamison Ranch combined to win top honors at the WCRA national finals again this year.

Brad Wilson of Wilson Cattle Company rode away with the Top Hand award. Sam Marvel of the Big Springs/YP Ranch team from Nevada was Reserve Top Hand.

Wilson Cattle Company and Jamison Ranch of the sandhills of Nebraska date their operations to the turn of the century. Both run cow-calf operations near Lemoyne, Neb.

Brad Wilson, part of the fourth generation to run Wilson Cattle Company, was named Top Hand at the rodeo in Amarillo this month. A graduate of Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas, he raises Quarter Horses and paints at the family ranch in Nebraska. He was also Top Hand in 1997.

The Nail Ranch of Albany, Texas, placed second in the WRCA ranch rodeo finals. The ranch traces its roots to 1875 and was the 1996 WRCA World Champion.

The Turkey Track Ranch of Artesia, N.M., finished third in this year's standings. Part of the Turkey Track was once owned by John Chisum. It later became part of the Diamond A under Cap Mossman of the Arizona Rangers. The Bogle family of Dexter, N.M., bought it in 1947.

Adcock Ranches of Talala and Romona, Okla., was fourth in the standings this year when the dust in the arena settled at the rodeo. One of their team members, Jay Adcock, was Top Hand and Champion Bronc Rider at the WRCA finals in 1998. Jay Adcock still holds the arena record at the WRCA finals with 79 points for one ride.

Craig Haythorn of Haythorn Land and Cattle Company of Arthur, Neb., had the top horse in the rodeo competition while the Pitchfork Land and Cattle Company of Guthrie, Texas had the top horse in the Ranch Horse Competition.

The Pitchfork horse, Jewels, was the senior division winner and was ridden by James Gholson. Jewels was also the America's Horse winner and top horse winner for the rodeo in 1998. Jewels won the Ranch Horse Show in 1997.

Morris Mostmann of the Mostmann Ranch from Raton, N.M., had the junior division winner of the Ranch Horse Competition.