A nine year old Huntley Montana cowgirl recently won the title World Champion Little Wrangler Flag Racer during the 2015 National Little Britches Finals Rodeo that was recently held in Pueblo Colorado.
Carter Howell, who is heading into 4th grade at Huntley Project Elementary this fall, participated in the national finals rodeo event in the Little Wrangler division that includes boys and girls between the ages of 5 and 9. Around 150 Little Wranglers, along with another 750 older contestants, came from all over the United States to compete at the Finals, gunning for the top awards. Montana hasn't had anyone competing in the Little Britches Finals since 2011, and this year, three more were also able to attend, including Carter's brother, Little Wrangler Chase Howell, Sr. Girl Kelly McDaniel and Junior Bull rider Alex Nelson, thanks in part to a new Little Britches franchise, Big Sky Little Britches that started up in Laurel, MT this summer.
Carter had a great week in Pueblo and after two rounds came into the final round ranked first in both the barrels and flags, and even managed to land in the 15th and final place in the Short Go for poles bending. Only a handful of contestants managed to make it back for the Short Go in three events. Carter had a little tough rodeo luck on championship day in her first two events, but in the end she became a world champion.
Carter turned in a time of 8.11 in the Short Go, her fastest time of the week, and the 4th fastest run of the Finals. This cowgirl beat out a handful of top cowboys and cowgirls for the title of world champion. During her interview with Northern Ag Network's Lane Nordlund, Carter even mentioned that the flag race is not her strongest event, but she was determined to get the job done. Even with the tip, Carter managed to place 6th in the World Standings for Little Wrangler barrels, and placed 6th for the Little Wrangler All Around World Standings.
This may also be the first World Title for any Montana Little Britches contestant. Due to a fire that lost most of the early records for the National Little Britches Rodeo Association, they can't be sure, but certainly the first in a very long time!
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We would also like to add that Carter is a part of the Northern Ag Network family. Her mom Jami Howell, is our digital content manager. Again congratulations to Carter and Howell family on this huge accomplishment
© Northern Ag Network 2015
video and pictures provided by Jennings Rodeo Photography
