Page 198 - May_2023

NEWS BRIEFS
WPRA Barrel Racing Standings Update
The Texas Swing and winter barrel run has come to an end, with the top barrel racers named.
As of April 19, the top 10 leadings are: Jordon Briggs ($87,894), Kassie Mowry ($65,322), Jackie Ganter ($50,370), Hailey Kinsel ($43,287), Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi ($43,035), Sissy Winn ($41,451), Molly Otto ($38,261), Jimmie Smith-Tew ($35,682), Kelly Allen ($33,400), and Dona Kay Rule ($32,752).
Red Bluff Round-Up Barrel Leaders
The Red Bluff Round-Up was held April 21-23 with a total pay-out of $360,755. The top barrel racers include: First round: 1) Payton Schoep- pach, :17.32; 2) Nicole Driggers, :17.37; and
3) Ashley Castleberry, :17.41: Second round: 1) Loni Yates, :17.19; and 2) (tie) Payton Schoep- pach and Sissy Winn, :17.22: and Average: 1) Payton Schoeppach, :34.54 on two head; 2) Loni Kay Yates, :34.64; and 3) Sissy Winn, :34.80.
Cervi and Most Appear on Justin Podcast
Four-time Women’s Professional Rodeo Associa- tion (WPRA) World Champion Sherry Cervi and 2022 YETI Junior World Senior Girls
Barrel Racing Champion Tru Most appeared on Justin’s Kick Your Boots Up podcast. These two women discussed the importance of horseman- ship, a good mindset, and better horses. This episode of the Kick Your Boots Up podcast is available on Spotify, Apple, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, iHeart and YouTube.
San Angelo Rodeo Champions
The 91st annual San Angelo Rodeo, which was held March 31-April 15, declared their Cham- pions. In Barrel Racing, Lindsey Sears posted
the fastest time ever in San Angelo with a run of :13.88. As fast as that was, Sears could not beat the Champion over three rounds as Kassie Mowry and her horse Will finished in 14 sec- onds flat. That run, along with her first two, won her the rodeo title.
Blazin Jetolena Dies
Blazin Jetolena (Lenas Sugar Daddy-Blazin Jen- nie Jet, Jet Of Honor) died from an unexpected cardiac event on Jan. 17, 2023. He earned over $95,000 for then-owners Sue and Randy Rist. He was primarily trained by Ryan Lovendahl. Blazin Jetolena was the #1 leading barrel futurity horse in 2003, and he qualified to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo with Melanie Southard in 2005. Owner Andrea Busby said on Face- book, “It is impossible to convey something
that has forever changed your life. The magical ride he has taken us on was more than anything we ever dreamed of. We were so honored to own him, care for him and to simply be in his presence. The hole this leaves in our hearts and at the ranch is immense. There are a million things that could be said to describe him, but the legacy he leaves us with is more than words could ever say.” Blazin Jetolena is the sire of over $6 million according to EquiStat records, and his leading runner is Sheza Blazin Move with $382,664 in barrel earnings. Blazin Jetolena was buried at Busby Ranch.
Harrington Hits Big at Starkville Barrel Race
The Starkville Fabulous $50,000 Barrel Race in Mississippi was held March 10-11. 14-year- old Will Harrington of Carrollton, Georgia, not only won the Youth and Open 1D, but also ran the fastest time of the weekend and left Starkville the highest-money earner of
the event aboard his mount, the 2015 mare SR Epic Hail Mary (Epic Leader-Insane For Fame, Dash Ta Fame). Harrington, who has only been barrel racing for two years, has come a long way in a short amount of time. He has multiple National Barrel Horse Asso- ciation Youth World Championship Show 1D qualifications and numerous top-five placings at barrel races.
WPRA Celebrates 75 Years
The Women’s Professional Rodeo Association is celebrating 75 years in 2023. It is believed that the four founding members who are still alive are Betty Barron Dusek, Dixie Reger Mosley, Mitzi Riley and Fay Ann Horton Leach, with the first president being the late Margaret Ow- ens Montgomery. According to Ann Bleiker
of the WPRA, “The benefits the contestants receive today would not have been imagin- able had it not been for a courageous band of women who roughed it out in the early days
of rodeo. In addition, that courage would have been fruitless if it weren’t for the leaders who have stepped forward to accept the WPRA’s baton year after year. Their refusal to take “no” for an answer serves to inspire future genera- tions to recognize and then work to harness the potential of women in rodeo and uphold the iconic legacy of the West.”
BFA 2023 Officers and Board Announced
The 2023 Barrel Futurities of America on March 30 announced their 2023 officers and board of directors: President Rodney Glenn, Vice Presi- dent Chris Duke, Secretary Cindy Arnold, and board members Dee Bacon, Heath Boucher, Jay Calton, Edwin Cameron, Casey Varpness and Jamie White.
BARREL RACING NEWS
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196 SPEEDHORSE May 2023