The American Quarter Horse Association’s (AQHA) corporate partner, Fort Dodge, rewarded the owners and riders of American Quarter Horses at this year’s Wrangler National Finals Rodeo with a fan-voting contest. Fort Dodge Animal Health provided $2,500 prize money to the winning horse’s owner and $2,500 to the competitor.

This year’s Fort Dodge Champion American Quarter Horses of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo are: Steer Wrestling: Redigo Roman and Jule Hazen; Team Roping (heading): Lite My Dynamite and Trevor Brazile; Team Roping (heeling): Freckles Taz and Allen Bach; Tie-Down Roping: Hickoryote Sue and Stran Smith; Barrel Racing: Andele Cowboy and Maegan Reichert.

Cliff and Chad Van Campen own Redigo Roman and will receive $2,500. Freckles Taz is owned by Kinney Harrell and he also will receive $2,500. All the other winning horses are owned by their riders, so they will each receive a $5,000 check from Fort Dodge.

International Finals Rodeo

The International Finals Rodeo will take place on Jan. 14-19 at the State Fair Arena in Oklahoma City. The top 15 in the 2007 International Professional Rodeo Association (IPRA) World Standings will be competing for world titles.

Shawn Minor of Camden, Ohio, comes into the finals with a lead of $36,279.67 and seeking his third All-Around World Champion title. Shawn trails Billy Griffin of Lee Summit, Mo., in the bareback riding. This will be Griffin’s third trip to the IFR.

Shawnee’s Nathan Tull is looking for his first world title in bull riding. This will be his third IFR and he has winnings of $19,718.07. Troy Carnes of Adrian, Mich., is the reigning world champion and is sitting second in the standings with $14,739.11. Rookie Ryan Dirteater of Hulbert is sitting third with winnings of $12,377.95.

Tyler West of Center Ridge, Ark., leads the saddle bronc riding with $27,628.40. Shawn Minor is a close second with $27,074.49. This will be West’s second IFR.

Justin Thigpen of Waycross, Ga., makes his fifth trip to the IFR in tie-down roping. He comes in with winnings of $14,803.39. In second place, Muldrow’s Chris Neal comes through with $11,296.12 and a close third is Ronnie Davis, of Norman Park, Ga., with $11,209.34.

To reach Rhonda

For column ideas or other news, you can reach rodeo columnist Rhonda Stewart at 869-1498 or rayandrhon@netzero.net