Malone 8th in Chute Dogging at Nationals

By Joe Naiman

Ramona’s Mason Malone placed eighth in the Chute Dogging average at the Wrangler Junior High National Finals, which were held July 5-8 in Gallup, N.M.

The 13-year-old was 10th after the first two go-rounds at the Red Rock Park arena, earning one of 15 spots in the short-go. The time in the short-go was included in the three-head average, which determined the final positions.

Malone was one of four Ramona competitors at the national finals.

Cameron Elston made the short-go in Breakaway Roping, but he missed his calf in the final performance and settled for 12th in the average with a two-head time.

Amber Aspin and Alyssa Elston also participated in the national finals but did not qualify for the short-go.

Malone, Aspin and the

Elston siblings qualified for the national finals during the state finals May 14-15 in Lincoln, Calif. Aspin qualified in Barrel Racing and Ribbon Roping, and Alyssa Elston also qualified in those two events.

Cameron Elston, who won the state Breakaway Roping championship, also qualified in Calf Tying, Ribbon Roping and Team Roping.

Malone won the state Calf Tying championship and also qualified for the national finals in Ribbon Roping and Team Roping, as well as Chute Dogging.

The national finals included between 80 and 100 competitors from the United States and Canada in each event.

Malone and his parents returned to Ramona the morning of July 9, and five hours later he left for Piru to compete in an Antelope Valley Junior Rodeo Association competition. He won the first go and the average in Calf

Tying at the July 9-10 rodeo.