SANDPOINT — The duo put in endless hours of work, competing year-round, practicing in the heat, rain, mud and snow to make this happen. 

Simona Villelli, a seventh grader at Sandpoint Middle School and Alicia Peterson, a sophomore at Forrest Bird Charter School have both qualified for the YETI Junior World Rodeo Finals set to be held Dec. 5 to 14 at the Las Vegas Convention Center's Wrangler Rodeo Arena.

Described as fierce competitors, but also as best of friends who cheer for each other through their wins and losses, the girls have made themselves, their families and their local sponsors proud by achieving such a feat. 

The daughter of Richard and Amber Villelli, Simona has qualified in barrel racing and will compete Dec. 11, 13 and potentially the 14th if she qualifies for the finals. She rides Peppy’s Rockin Dora "Siren", a 9-year-old quarter horse mare and belongs to the NWBHA District 4, Rapid Lightning Racers and BRN4D organizations. 

The daughter of Hobie and Tawni Peterson, Alicia qualified in barrel racing and pole bending and will compete Dec. 10, 12, and potentially the 14th if she qualifies for the finals. She rides two different horses — SD Smoke N Mirrows "Mirrors", a 9-year-old quarter horse mare for pole bending and LILSTREAKINNWINKIN "Lynx", an 8-year-old quarter horse gelding for barrel racing. She belongs to the NWBHA District 4, Idaho High School Rodeo District 3, Rapid Lightning Racers and BRN4D organizations.

One day of competition is deemed as a day to "ride for a cause." Simona will be riding in support of breast cancer awareness.

"I am running to raise awareness for breast cancer," she said. "My grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer six years ago and was in remission until this year. My grandmother and I are very close, and I am inspired by her love for life, adventure, and strength."

Alicia will be riding in support of adoption.

"I am running to support adoption," she said. "I hope to raise awareness about the importance of providing children with stable, nurturing homes. Every child deserves the chance to thrive and be part of a family." 

The two are coached by Simona's mother, Amber Villelli, who is also the coach of the Rapid Lightning Racers, which is based in Sandpoint. Amber will also be competing in Las Vegas at a different race during the same time, so it's safe to say Sandpoint will be well represented on the national stage in a couple of weeks.

The Junior World Finals, which was founded in 2015, takes place annually in Las Vegas, running alongside the National Finals Rodeo, the premier championship rodeo of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) that draws competition from all over the world. The Junior World Finals typically sees over 800 youth athletes who compete for more than one million dollars in combined cash and prize payouts on their quest to claim the coveted Montana Silversmiths championship buckle.

    Simona Villelli, a seventh grader at Sandpoint Middle School, rides to a Junior World Finals qualifying time in barrel racing at the 14th annual Producers Gone Wild event held Aug. 30 and 31 at the Grant County Fairgrounds near Moses Lake, Wash.
  

    Alicia Peterson
  

    Simona Villelli