January 03, 2008 01:22 am
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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
Brian Barefoot, of Dunn, N.C., makes his third IFR appearance in steer wrestling. He has a $5,000 cushion on Thigpen, the second place competitor. However, between Thigpen, third place Jordan Wiseman of McAlester, No. 4 Donnie Tyner, of Elm City, N.C., and No. 5 Ryan Mims of Holdenville – only $493.81 separate them.
Mesa Leavitt of Blue Grass, Iowa, — only 11 years old when winning the title of 2006 World Champion Barrel Racer — comes into the 2007 finals in first place with $27,540.50 in winnings. Just this last weekend, Leavitt won the 1D in the Classic Equine Race for the Cash IV at Guthrie – World Barrel Racing Productions.
A.J. and Kyle Horton of Stigler are the ropers to beat for the team roping world title.
Jake Weddle, of Perryville, Ark., and Jared Standridge, of Dennard, Ark., are both looking at the number one heading spot as well. Heelers Jory Levy of Twin Oaks and 2006 World Champion Heeler Stephen Britnell, of Maryville, Tenn., will be attempting to overtake Kyle for the gold buckle.
The 2007 IPRA Timed Event Horses of the Year are: Team Roping-Heading Horse is “Monty”, owned and ridden by Jimmy Tanner; Team Roping-Heeling Horse is C.R. Son of a Doc, owned and ridden by Stephen Britnell; Cowgirls Barrel Racing Horse is All Eyez Are On Me “Legs”, owned and ridden by Jessica Moore; Steer Wrestling Horse is Mar Am Major “Ready”, owned and ridden by Ryan Mims; Hazing Horse is Fax It Bar “Wiz”, owned and ridden by Eldon Day; and Tie-down Roping Horse is Wills Rosalea, owned and ridden by Ronnie Davis.
For ticket information, call 800-511-1552 for single session tickets or go to www.tickets.com.
Almanac dates
January almanac dates to trim manes and tails to promote growth: 8, 11, 12, 16, 17, 20, 21.
Places to Go:
See www.randrbarrels.com for handbills and more detailed information
Weekly events: (Call before you haul.) Mondays, Barrel Racing at Hilltop Arena, exhibitions at 6 p.m., 4D jackpot at 8 p.m., 457-7337; Mondays & Thursdays, Team Roping, Checotah RUC, practice 6 p.m. and jackpot 8 p.m.; Thursdays, Barrel Racing at Hilltop Arena, Gates Productions, exhibitions 6:30-7:30 p.m., 4D jackpot at 8 p.m., Thursday, 5D Better Barrel Races approved barrel race, Stanton’s Arena, Beggs. Exhibitions 5:30-6 p.m., jackpot at 8 p.m., David Vert 260-8453 or Tricia McLain 289-1514, Fridays, team roping at Hilltop Arena, Bart Barton, Sundays, 2 p.m. team penning at Hilltop Arena.
Area Barrel Racing and Bull Riding:
4C Ranch and Loop 56 at Checotah RUC, Jan. 5, 12, 26 and Feb. 9, 23, 4D Barrel Race, $25 entry fee. Exhibitions at noon and jackpot at 2 p.m., junior barrels, $15, 3D, Pending BBR approval. Jan. 12 and Feb. 23 will have $250 Added Money. This is a buckle series, $10 nomination fee.
Other Events
Jan. 5 — MidWest Pro Rodeo Tour puts on bull riding competition, Muskogee Fairgrounds Arena, 8 p.m. Cowboys and cowgirls from seven-state area expected to be competing in mutton busting, steer riding, novice bull riding and professional bull riding. Locals are welcome to enter. Contact: Greg Allen at (405) 464-7880.
Jan. 11-12 — Green Country Classic Ranch Rodeo, Claremore ExpoCenter Arena, 7 p.m. Friday and 6 p.m. Saturday, cowboy trade show both days.
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Photos
Robin Stewart Mug.