Cowboy Christmas

One Week, Multiple Rodeos, Millions in Prize Money

They call it Cowboy Christmas or “the first” in Canada; “the fourth” in the U.S. And to professional rodeo athletes on both sides of the forty-ninth parallel, it’s a span of lucrative rodeos that can make or break an individual’s chances of qualifying for the Canadian Finals (CFR) in Canada or the World Finals (NFR) in Las Vegas at the end of the season.

Cowboy Christmas starts in late June (after Nevada’s Reno Rodeo) and runs through the first week in July or so depending on the way calendar dates fall. The run involves upwards of 25 rodeos and millions of dollars in prize money.

Those cowboys and cowgirls staying in Canada traveled between Ponoka and Airdrie, Alberta and Williams Lake, BC – a fairly do-able run if you were set up right. US contenders came to as many of the Canadian rodeos as they could fit in – in and around the very lucrative “July fourth” run south of the 49^th parallel – which included such rodeos as Red Lodge and Livingston, MT; Cody, Wyoming; Molalla and St Paul, Oregon; Greeley, Colorado and Vernal, Utah to name a few.

Payouts at ‘Cowboy Christmas rodeos generally range from $5000. to $25,000 depending on the rodeo’s added money, the number of contestants and an athlete’s consistency and number of chances to compete. It’s not surprising that rodeo contestants get creative in their bid to make the miles and performances.

Travel Plans

Highway 2 in Alberta (particularly the stretch between Calgary and Edmonton, on which both Airdrie and Ponoka lay) is congested at the best of times. Add a healthy dose of tourist traffic, along with a few hundred rodeo rigs and it resembles a freeway. Most rodeo athletes drive to the their long-weekend events; though some leave horses at pre-planned stopping places or in the case of a number of the tie-down ropers and bull doggers, arrange to be mounted on another contestant’s horse and fly to save time and cover more rodeos.

I caught up with CFR/NFR barrel racer Molly Powell earlier in the weekend. Molly had competed at the Canadian rodeos and was in Livingston, MT where she was getting her horse re-set before moving on to a number of U.S. rodeos. Her cousin, CFR barrel racer, Carolyn Metcalfe had jumped in with her to help drive over the weekend.

2008 World Champion, Lindsay Sears enjoyed early weekend success at Williams Lake and Ponoka (where she was leading the long go) then headed back south. She ended up facing a tough decision Saturday when she qualified for the short go at both Ponoka and Greeley, CO. Ponoka was her choice… which excited the Canadian rodeo fans. The drive back was well worth the trip as Lindsay split the Ponoka Aggregate with former World Barrel Champion, Sherri Cervi.

CFR barrel racer, Suzanne DePaoli of Longview, AB was traveling with her husband and son (Don and Steele). The threesome competed at Airdrie Pro Rodeo Friday night, then hit the trail for Williams Lake, BC. where they were up in the Saturday performance. The threesome were hoping to stay in contention for Sunday’s Ponoka Stampede Final, which would mean another ‘over night’ trip back through the mountains.

Rodeo contestants who haul horses generally know from experience which rodeo grounds make reliable stopping places at all hours of the day and night. Good access, safe pens or stalls and availability of water are key components when it’s 3 a.m., everyone’s tired and the horses need a break from the trailer. Cell phones have certainly made communication easier when it comes to ensuring good layover places for tired cowboys, cowgirls and rodeo horses.

Cowboy Christmas Cheques

Are all the miles, lack of sleep and expense worth it? Well, that depends on who you’re talking to. A number of contestants had little or no success after all the hours of driving and fuel re-fills this past weekend…. but they’d be the first to tell you, “That’s rodeo… some good days, some not so good.”

For those who did well, the pressure may be off (or at least lessened) when it comes to the pursuit of a Finals berth. 2008 World Champion barrel racer, Lindsay Sears enjoyed tremendous success for the second July long weekend in a row. She was the top pro barrel racing money earner for 2010, racking up over $21,000. Lindsay split the aggregate at Ponoka (with Sherri Cervi), was 3^rd at Williams Lake, won the first round at Greeley, was 2^nd in round two but turned out of the short go in favour of Ponoka. Two time Canadian Champion, Lisa Lockhart (Oelrichs, SD) was the second highest barrel racer on the earnings list with close to $18,000. won. Crystal Shaw of Daysland, AB enjoyed a huge weekend as well with a win at Williams Lake and second place at Airdrie, AB. (over $6700 in earnings) which should put her well up in the Canadian standings.

Scroll down for top money earners in all events and top rodeo barrel racing earnings.

UPCOMING CONTEST

Win a pair of Lawman\’s Petrol Jeans – look for contest details by the end of the week!

2010 Top Pro Rodeo Cowboy Christmas Money Earners

1. Trevor Brazile         $24,253

2. Bobby Mote              22,091

3. Lindsay Sears            21,459

4. Tuf Cooper                19,381

5. Curtis Cassidy           19,172

6. Lisa Lockhart            17,957

7. Will Lowe                 17,508

8. Dustin Flundra          16,614

9. Jeff Willert                16,405

10. Brenda Mays           16,370

11. Jesse Bail                 16,286

12. Dusty LaValley       16,209

13.  Brady Minor          15,916

Riley Minor            15,916

15. Kelly Timberman    15,803

16. Ty Elliott                 15,244

17. Heith DeMoss         15,135

18. Sheena Robbins      15,121

19. Jill Moody               15,071

20. Britany Fleck          14,234

21. Jason Havens          14,197

22. Patrick Smith          14,189

23. Beau Schroeder       13,965

24. Brittany Pozzi         13,390

25. Jerrad Hofstetter     13,295

PONOKA, AB

Barrel racing: First round: 1. Lindsay Sears, 17.29 seconds, $5,453; 2. Sherry Cervi, 17.40, $4,674; 3. Shayna Dodds, 17.47, $3,895; 4. Britany Fleck, 17.49, $3,375; 5. Lisa Lockhart, 17.60, $2,597; 6. Dee Butterfield, 17.64, $2,077; 7. (tie) Nancy Csabay and Laura James, 17.66, $1,298 each; 9. Rylee McKenzie, 17.68, $779; 10. Deb Renger, 17.70, $519. Finals: 1. Lisa Lockhart, 17.42 seconds, $2,000; 2. Sherry Cervi, 17.51, $1,500; 3. Britany Fleck, 17.60, $1,000; 4. Lindsay Sears, 17.62, $500. Average: 1. (tie) Sherry Cervi and Lindsay Sears, 34.91 seconds on two head, $5,063 each; 3. Lisa Lockhart, 35.02, $3,895; 4. Britany Fleck, 35.09, $3,376; 5. Deb Renger, 35.46, $2,597; 6. Dee Butterfield, 35.50, $2,077; 7. Laura James, 35.65, $1,558; 8. Rylee McKenzie, 36.49, $1,039; 9. Suzanne DePaoli, 40.62, $779; 10. Molly Powell, 40.66, $519. Showdown round: 1. Lisa Lockhart, 17.19 seconds, $5,000; 2. Lindsay Sears, 17.34, $2,500; 3. Britany Fleck, 17.44, $1,500; 4. Sherry Cervi, 17.47, $1,000.

AIRDRIE, AB

Barrel racing: 1. Lauren Chad, Okotoks, 14.36 seconds, $4,287; 2. Crystal Shaw, 14.55, $3,430; 3. (tie) Brittany Pozzi and Sierra Stoney, 14.61, $2,465 each; 5. (tie) Leanne Niddery and Gaylene Buff, 14.62, $1,501 each; 7. P.J. Burger, 14.63, $1,072; 8. Jacqueline Stojan, 14.68, $965; 9. Kelly Fogle, 14.72, $499; 10. Julie Leggett, 14.74, $750; 11. Wacey Hollingworth, 14.77, $643; 12. Angie Meadors, 14.79, $536; 13. (tie) Sherrylynn Johnson, Dannielle Dinius and Laura James, 14.80, $482 each.

WILLIAMS LAKE, BC

Barrel racing: 1. Crystal Shaw, 16.30 seconds, $3,322; 2. Sherrylynn Johnson, 16.62, $2,658; 3. Lindsay Sears, 16.72, $2,159; 4. Sierra Stoney, 16.74, $1,661; 5. Deb Renger, 16.76, $1,329; 6. Benette Barrington, 16.78, $997; 7. (tie) Marti Fuhriman and Julie Leggett, 16.79, $789 each; 9. Cathy Grant, 16.88, $664; 10. Kelle Lee Noble, 16.89, $581; 11. Monica Oram, 16.91, $498; 12. Melissa Thiessen, 16.94, $415; 13. Tara Muldoon, 16.96, $332; 14. Gaylene Buff, 16.98, $249; 15. Gaileen Babcock, 17.02, $166.

ST PAUL, OR

Barrel racing: First round: 1. Kim Kammenzind, 17.62 seconds, $2,864; 2. Brittany Pozzi, 17.66, $2,455; 3. (tie) Kathy Grimes and Nellie Williams, 17.67, $1,909; 5. Benette Barrington, 17.68, $1,364; 6. Sheena Robbins, 17.70, $1,091; 7. Kelli Jo Hammack, 17.75, $818; 8. Katy Bremner, 17.83, $546; 9. Chris Powers, 17.84, $409; 10. Whitney Stahl, 17.85, $273. Second round: 1. Jana Isaac, 17.44 seconds, $2,864; 2. Sheena Robbins, 17.55, $2,455; 3. Sydni Blanchard, 17.56, $2,046; 4. Sue Smith, 17.58, $1,773; 5. Serena Mote, 17.62, $1,364; 6. Nellie Williams, 17.65, $1,091; 7. Katy Bremner, 17.66, $818; 8. Kathy Grimes, 17.68, $546; 9. Kimberli Quinn, 17.71, $409, 10. Kelli Jo Hammack, 17.74, $273. Average: 1. Sheena Robbins, 35.25 seconds on two runs, $2,864; 2. Nellie Williams, 35.32, $2,455; 3. Kathy Grimes, 35.35, $2,046; 4. (tie) Kelli Jo Hammack and Katy Bremner, 35.49, $1,568 each; 6. Danyelle Campbell, 35.71, $1,091; 7. Sydni Blanchard, 35.72, $818; 8. Chris Powers, 35.76, $546; 9. Jody Hale, 35.83, $409; 10. Stacey Freitas, 35.86, $273.

CODY, WY

Barrel racing: 1. Brenda Mays, 17.12 seconds, $8,389; 2. Kelly Maben, 17.13, $6,711; 3. Sabrina Ketcham, 17.24, $5,453; 4. Jill Moody, 17.25, $4,194; 5. Sheena Robbins, 17.29, $3,355; 6. Jeanne Anderson, 17.32, $2,517; 7. Nikki Steffes, 17.36, $2,097; 8. Diann Bukowski, 17.41, $1,888; 9. Tana Poppino, 17.43, $1,678; 10. Brittany Pozzi, 17.44, $1,468; 11. Timi Lickley, 17.45, $1,258; 12. (tie) Sherry Cervi and Susan Liggitt, $944 each; 14. (tie)  Kenna Squirres, 17.47, $629; 15. (tie) Kelsi Elkins and Nellie Williams, $210 each.

GREELEY, CO

Barrel racing: First round: 1. Lindsay Sears, 17.15 seconds, $3,114; 2. Kelly Maben, 17.19, $2,670; 3. Tana Poppino, 17.33, $2,225; 4. Brenda Seely, 17.49, $1,928; 5. Jessi Eagleberger, 17.50, $1,483; 6. Kenna Squires, 17.51, $1,186; 7. Kelli Tolbert, 17.53, $890; 8. Sabrina Ketcham, 17.55, $593; 9. Rachael Myllymaki, 17.57, $445; 10. Jessica Watkins, 17.58, $297. Second round: 1. Jill Moody, 17.28 seconds, $3,114; 2. Lindsay Sears, 17.39, $2,670; 3. Jessica Watkins, 17.42, $2,225; 4. Sammi Bessert, 17.43, $1,928; 5. Jessi Eagleberger, 17.44, $1,483; 6. Lisa Lockhart, 17.48, $1,186; 7. Mandy Teichert, 17.51, $890; 8. Haley Thorne, 17.55, $593; 9. Timi Lickley, 17.59, $445; 10. Lacy Wilson, 17.60, $297. Finals: 1. Savanah Reeves, 17.39 seconds, $2,307; 2. Tana Poppino, 17.55, $1,730; 3. Callie Chamberlain, 17.60, $1,153; 4. Sammi Bessert, 17.65, $577. Average: 1. Tana Poppino, 52.50 seconds on three runs, $4,672; 2. Jessi Eagleberger, 52.68, $4,004; 3. Savanah Reeves, 52.75, $3,337; 4. Callie Chamberlain, 52.90, $2,892; 5. Sammi Bessert, 53.02, $2,225; 6. Jessica Watkins, 53.26, $1,780; 7. Mandy Teichert, 53.52, $1,335; 8. Tana Renick, 53.69, $890; 9. Christina Richman, 53.81, $667; 10. Janet Baughman, 58.47, $445.

PRESCOTT, AZ

Barrel racing: First round: 1. Brenda Mays, 17.28 seconds, $1,641; 2. (tie) Sheena Robbins and Brittany Pozzi, 17.43, $1,289 each; 4. Kelly Waide, 17.45, $1,016; 5. Linda Vick, 17.51, $781; 6. Layna Kight, 17.53, $625; 7. Jill Moody, 17.57, $469; 8. Brittany Grant, 17.66, $313; 9. Erin Parsons, 17.67, $234; 10. Jordan Bassett, 17.70, $156. Second round: 1. Brenda Mays, 17.15, $1,641; 2. Maegan Reichert, 17.28, $1,406; 3. Jill Moody, 17.35, $1,172; 4. Sheena Robbins, 17.36, $1,016; 5. Brittany Pozzi, 17.47, $781; 6. Layna Kight, 17.55, $625; 7. Erin Parsons, 17.64, $469; 8. Kelsi Elkins, 17.73, $313; 9. Eileen Geraghty, 17.76, $234; 10. Mandy Sproul, 17.81, $156. Average: 1. Brenda Mays, 34.43 seconds on two runs, $1,641; 2. Sheena Robbins, 34.79, $1,406; 3. Brittany Pozzi, 34.90, $1,172; 4. Jill Moody, 34.92, $1,016; 5. Layna Kight, 35.08, $781; 6. Maegan Reichert, 35.20, $625; 7. Erin Parsons, 35.31, $469; 8. Linda Vick, 35.38, $313; 9. Lynn Brown, 35.60, $234; 10. Anne Marie McConnell, 35.67, $156.

EUGENE, OR

Barrel racing: 1. Brenda Mays, 17.12 seconds, $1,662; 2. P.J. Burger, 17.22, $1,424; 3. Benette Barrington, 17.25, $1,187; 4. Carmen Creekbaum, 17.39, $1,029; 5. Natalie Deking, 17.43, $791; 6. Whitney Phillips, 17.44, $633; 7. Nellie Williams, 17.45, $475; 8. Brittany Pozzi, 17.47, $317; 9. Kathleen Shelton, 17.56, $237; 10. Kelli Jo Hammack, 17.57, $158.

OAKLEY CITY, UTAH

Barrel racing: 1. Nancy Hunter, 16.31 seconds, $2,977; 2. Lacy Wilson, 16.35, $2,531; 3. Tammy Fischer, 16.44, $2,084; 4. Susan Liggitt, 16.49, $1,786; 5. Sammi Bessert, 16.50, $1,489; 6. Jeanne Anderson, 16.56, $1,042; 7. Jill Moody, 16.62, $744; 8. Jody Sheffield, 16.63, $595; 9. (tie) Marvel Murphy and Kelly Larsen, 16.67, $484 each; 11. Tana Poppino, 16.70, $372; 12. Vickie Solmonsen, 16.73, $298.

WEST JORDAN, UTAH

Barrel racing: 1. Susan Liggitt, 17.23 seconds, $1,381; 2. Nancy Hunter, 17.27, $1,184; 3. Sammi Bessert, 17.34, $986; 4. Sabrina Ketcham, 17.43, $855; 5. Kaylyn Trapp, 17.44, $657; 6. Norma Wood, 17.45, $526; 7. Tammy Childers, 17.47, $329; 8. Julie Herman, 17.47, $329; 9. Kelly Larson, 17.49, $197; 10. Kali Jo Parker, 17.51, $131.

CODY, WY

Barrel racing: 1. Brenda Mays, 17.12 seconds, $8,389; 2. Kelly Maben, 17.13, $6,711; 3. Sabrina Ketcham, 17.24, $5,453; 4. Jill Moody, 17.25, $4,194; 5. Sheena Robbins, 17.29, $3,355; 6. Jeanne Anderson, 17.32, $2,517; 7. Nikki Steffes, 17.36, $2,097; 8. Diann Bukowski, 17.41, $1,888; 9. Tana Poppino, 17.43, $1,678; 10. Brittany Pozzi, 17.44, $1,468; 11. Timi Lickley, 17.45, $1,258; 12. (tie) Sherry Cervi and Susan Liggitt, $944 each; 14. (tie)  Kenna Squirres, 17.47, $629; 15. (tie) Kelsi Elkins and Nellie Williams, $210 each.

ST PAUL, OR

Barrel racing: First round: 1. Kim Kammenzind, 17.62 seconds, $2,864; 2. Brittany Pozzi, 17.66, $2,455; 3. (tie) Kathy Grimes and Nellie Williams, 17.67, $1,909; 5. Benette Barrington, 17.68, $1,364; 6. Sheena Robbins, 17.70, $1,091; 7. Kelli Jo Hammack, 17.75, $818; 8. Katy Bremner, 17.83, $546; 9. Chris Powers, 17.84, $409; 10. Whitney Stahl, 17.85, $273. Second round: 1. Jana Isaac, 17.44 seconds, $2,864; 2. Sheena Robbins, 17.55, $2,455; 3. Sydni Blanchard, 17.56, $2,046; 4. Sue Smith, 17.58, $1,773; 5. Serena Mote, 17.62, $1,364; 6. Nellie Williams, 17.65, $1,091; 7. Katy Bremner, 17.66, $818; 8. Kathy Grimes, 17.68, $546; 9. Kimberli Quinn, 17.71, $409, 10. Kelli Jo Hammack, 17.74, $273. Average: 1. Sheena Robbins, 35.25 seconds on two runs, $2,864; 2. Nellie Williams, 35.32, $2,455; 3. Kathy Grimes, 35.35, $2,046; 4. (tie) Kelli Jo Hammack and Katy Bremner, 35.49, $1,568 each; 6. Danyelle Campbell, 35.71, $1,091; 7. Sydni Blanchard, 35.72, $818; 8. Chris Powers, 35.76, $546; 9. Jody Hale, 35.83, $409; 10. Stacey Freitas, 35.86, $273.

BELLE FOURCHE, SD

Barrel racing: 1. Dani Durham, 17.05 seconds, $2,223; 2. Britany Fleck, 17.26, $1,890; 3. Nellie Williams, 17.38, $1,556; 4. (tie) Jamie Wells and Layna Kight, 17.40, $1,223 each; 6. Jill Moody, 17.50, $778; 7. Savanah Reeves, 17.51, $556; 8. Lisa Anderson, 17.58, $445; 9. Alisha Madison, 17.68, $389; 10. Shannon Cowan, 17.69, $333; 11. Carla Olson, 17.70, $278; 12. Lisa Lockhart, 17.73, $222.

LIVINGSTON, MT

Barrel racing: 1. Angie Meadors, 17.46 seconds, $3,821; 2. Lisa Lockhart, 17.50, $3,057; 3. Layna Kight, 17.54, $2,484; 4. Nellie Williams, 17.56, $1,910; 5. Jill Moody, 17.62, $1,528; 6. Trula Churchill, 17.63, $1,146; 7. Brenda Mays, 17.64, $955; 8. Heather Morrison, 17.67, $860; 9. Sheena Robbins, 17.70, $764; 10. (tie) Susan Liggitt and Jeanne Anderson, 17.71, $621 each; 12. Ali McCarty, 17.79, $478; 13. Kelli Tolbert, 17.82, $382; 14. Jessie Moody, 17.83, $287; 15. Jody Siderius, 17.89, $191.