For starters, a congratulatory note to Hailey Varnell of Porum, winner at the Arkansas-Oklahoma State Fair in Fort Smith, Ark. She not only won her showmanship button but her Southdown ewe was named Junior Supreme Champion Ewe of the fair. She won a $400 scholarship along with several ribbons for her entire flock of sheep. Hailey is a member of the Porum 4-H Livestock Show team.

Barton Arena Productions team roping moves to their winter schedule this week, beginning with a Friday stop at Hilltop Arena in Muskogee. They will offer a #10 with a #8 incentive drawpot. The ropers will love the new addition to their prize line. Jason Chisum of Muldrow won one of these trophy saddle pads on Halloween at Hilltop.

On Saturday night it’s on to the Double D Indoor Arena in Poteau where they’ll award a Master saddle certificate to the high money winner. Double D is also the home to the Arena Steakhouse — so come early and bring your appetite! Books close at 8 p.m. both Friday and Saturday nights. The #8 straight drawpot will be Tuesday night at Hilltop. Books close at 7 p.m. and feel free to call ahead. Contact Bart or Mika Barton at 616-9269 or 616-9271. There is information on their answering machine at 463-3269 or you can also e-mail them at letsrope@crosstel.net.

The hillbillies will be back out at Rick and Gail Ward’s arena this Friday night. It’s OK — that is the name of their arena — the Hillbilly Ranch and Arena. They will have their arena sorting — weather permitting. The gate will be open about 5 p.m. and the sorting will begin at 7 p.m. Head east on Hancock Street until the road turns back south and you are there. For information or to call before you haul — Rick’s cell phone at 684-7026 or the home phone 682-2581.

Rangeline Arena has started offering a Tuesday night jackpot. It is not a series — just a weekly jackpot. Exhibitions will be at 6 p.m. ($4 each or 3/$10) and the jackpot at 8 p.m. with a $25 entry fee. On Monday and Thursday nights, they will offer team roping practice from 7-9 p.m. at $10 per horse. On Saturday and Sunday there will be a Mid-South Team Roping Association roping. Contact Mike Johnson at 698-8785 for scheduling info.

For the month of November only, Gates Productions will be offering $100 in added money at their Monday night barrel races at Hilltop Arena. These jackpots will be Better Barrel Races (BBR) approved, so if you need to get your qualifying runs — here’s the place. Exhibitions start at 6:30 p.m. and the jackpot starts at 8 p.m. The format is 4-D, half-second splits, and the entry fee is $26. They use a computerized draw and a progressive payout.

On Saturday, the Pryor 4-Way Rodeo Association will produce a $600 Added 4-D Barrel Race. It is a fundraiser for the 4-Way Youth. Exhibitions start at 9 a.m. ($3/each or 4/$10). The Youth 4-D Shootout will begin at noon. It has a $15 entry fee. The winner of the Youth will receive a trophy belt buckle. The Youth age limit is 15 or under, age as of date of the race. The Youth can carry over their times to the open, but they must designate before they run in the youth class. The $600 Added 4-D Open Jackpot will immediately follow the youth race. The entry fee is $25, half-half-whole splits, BBR pending.

All of the added money will go into the jackpot with 80 percent of the fees being paid back. For every entry in the jackpot you will receive a ticket for drawings for prizes and giveaways throughout the race. There will also be a silent auction held during the race. They already have some incredible donations, including western tack and jewelry, oil changes, and gift certificates. Call Stephanie at 521-5200, Sueanne at 373-0901 or Heath at 688-1137, or check out their website at http://pryor4wayrodeoarena.20m.com.

Good luck wherever you go this weekend!

Farmers Almanac Best Days: To trim manes and tails to promote growth: Nov. 16-18, 21-23, 26-27, and 30.

You can reach Rhonda Stewart at 869-1498 or rayandrhon@netzero.net. Her column appears on Thursdays.