Better Barrel Races ushered in the end of an era as the 25th annual Summer Shootout was run for the last time in the storied Jim Norick Arena at the fairgrounds in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Oklahoma native Josie Whittington and CB Hottest Guy Yet won the 1D Shootout.
Construction is underway for the new OG&E Coliseum, but this was the last time many entrants will run through the arena’s Gateway of Champions before construction is completed in 2025. The show featured $20,000 in added money as well as being a BBR double points and double qualifier. New this year was the race being a 5D format instead of a 4D. The coveted prizes remained the same, with the winner of each division receiving a trophy Double J saddle, MVP award package and Classic Equine award package. Contestants had two chances to qualify for the clean-slate Shootout Round, with the top 15 in each division of each qualifying round punching their ticket to the finals.
1D Champions Josie Whittington and CB Hottest Guy Yet
17-year-old Josie Whittington has been competing at the Summer Shootout with her family since she was about 7 years old. She was the reserve champion in 2021, but this year the Idabel, Oklahoma cowgirl claimed the top spot. A 15.449 on board CB Hottest Guy Yet clinched the 1D Shootout win, earning $1,615. “Rusty” is the same horse that Whittington rode in 2021, and he was raised and trained by her family. Bred by her great-grandpa, Carl Bryce, Rusty was started by her grandpa Ricky Bryce. Ricky taught Rusty the fundamentals and got him going on the pattern, where Josie’s older sister Jaden Whittington took over.
“My sister started riding him as an early 4-year-old and seasoned him a little,” Whittington shared. “I got him a little later that year. I just always clicked with him, and we never looked back.”
The family raises and trains all of their horses. Rusty was the first foal out of Smartest Pepper Yet that the family bred to Technicolours — but not the last.
“She actually had her last baby this year,” Whittington said. “She’s about 22 now and has had a lot of amazing babies. They have all been incredible, especially the Technicolours.” Fittingly, the first time Whittington ran the pattern on Rusty was at the Shootout; but it was in a practice pen. “I was running an older mare at the time. Rusty was young but my sister decided to enter him; she felt like he could handle it with his demeanor. They didn’t make the short go, but he handled it great and they had two solid runs. My mom took me to the big outdoor warmup arena and set up the barrels. We were probably high loping, but it felt like we were flying. I’ve never clicked with a horse like I did with Rusty. I kind of know the moves he’s going to make before he makes them, and he knows how I’m going to ride as well. I’m so thankful the Lord has blessed me with being able to ride a horse like him. He’s a once-in-a-lifetime.
“I always have kind of the same game plan each run, no matter if it’s a rodeo or barrel race,” Whittington continued. “I just make sure I set him up good for his turns, focus on what’s in my control and let the rest fall where it will. The first day I knew I definitely needed to push him because he knows where the barrels are in that arena. I couldn’t really tell if he was running super fast, but people were hollering so it felt like I was doing something right! We took the lead, he did really great and I was super proud of him.”
The pair won $2,117 for their time of 15.414, winning Round One of qualifying. A solid 15.667 placed 15th in Round Two.
“Normally the first run he checks everything out, then lights up in the second round,” Whittington shared. “The second round I had the same game plan and he had a great run. We still placed in the 1D but we were at the bottom of the ground and it just took longer to get out of the turns.”
The high school junior came back strong in the Shootout Round, clocking a 15.449.
“Once he turned the first really good, the rest was good.,” Whittington said. “On the second and third I just drove him up in the pocket and set him up good. It can be anyone’s day, but he had three great turns. Running home I didn’t know, but he clocked really great. Even when I took the lead, it was still hard to believe. I’ve been reserve and been in the 1D, but winning it was kind of a cool moment. It was a little surreal.”
Making the moment sweeter was the fact that Whittington’s grandpa Ricky was in attendance. Whittington thanks her entire family for their help and support.
Qualifying Round One 1D: 1)Josie Whittington/CB Hottest Guy Yet/15.414/$2,117; 2)Shealynn Leach McConnell/Smooth N Heavenly/15.528/$1,671; 3)Kynder Starr/Alotaheartabitafame/15.545/$1,337; 2D: 1)Skylar Wasson/Strikin Sixes/15.938/$1,764; 2)LaVerne Fein/Traffic Fein/15.943/$1,392; 3)Payton Burton/This Money Runs/15.948/$1,114; 3D: 1)Kyra Lane/Famous Jessy James/16.414/$1,411; 2)Hollie Etbauer/Hot Frosty Whistle/16.415/$1,114; 3)Cade Kanode/Five Bar Sweet Look/16.416/$891; 4D: 1)Kenzley Mendel/Pars Doctor Poco/16.916/$1,058; 2)Tracey Brooks/Cruiser Gal Seventeen/16.926/$835; 3)Karrissa Nelson/Smokeys Golden Sher/16.927/$668; 5D: 1)Beverly Griswold/You Count The Cash/17.414/$706; 2)Suzie Schwitters/Double Classy Queen/17.439/$557; 3)Jennifer Starkey/Bee My Starduster/17.439/$446
Qualifying Round Two 1D: 1)Shealynn Leach McConnell/Smooth N Heavenly/15.341/$2,117; 2)Lisa Kisner/Rakin In A Fortune/15.405/$1,671; 3)Payton Askins/Reys Little Light/15.487/$1,337; 2D: 1)Michael Smith/No Lion Ima Make U Famous/15.851/$1,764; 2)Kaci Stanley/Reiners Cat/15.870/$1,392; 3)Marlena Williams/Smoothdash Ta Heaven/15.874/$1,114; 3D: 1)Macey Lillard/You Betcha Bunny/16.344/$1,411; 2)Macie Ferrari/Sheza Poco James RH/16.346/$1,114; 3)Chris Herrera/The Seventh Injun/16.355/$891; 4D: 1)Cathy Brooks/Coats Frenchmans Jet/16.867/$1,058; 2)Hannah Howell/Stoli My Fire/16.874/$835; 3)Kim Davidson/Iza Sunfrost/16.876/$668; 5D: 1)Tatum Maize Anderson/Meradas Lady Leo/17.341/$706; 2)Chris Wall/WR Dagwood/17.344/$557; 3)Beverly Griswold/You Count The Cash/17.355/$446
Shootout Round 1D: 1)Josie Whittington/CB Hottest Guy Yet/15.449/$1,615; 2)Kinzlee Jones/Running Forthemoney/15.497/$1,337; 3)Kelly Sparks/One Dashing Episode/15.514/$1,058; 2D: 1)Kellie Rutledge/Bluefrosting On Fame/15.578/$1,346; 2)Fallon Forbes/Pocket Fulla Pozzis/15.698/$1,114; 3)Amanda Clark/Dancin For Fame/15.800/$882; 3D: 1) Debbie Sipe/Firenfling/15.696/$1,077; 2)Kyra Lane/Famous Jessy James/15.825/$891; 3)Cade Kanode/Five Bar Sweet Look/15.927/$706; 4D: 1)Katherine Barrington/Mister Payroll/16.207/$808; 2)Ella Kennon/Jake/16.221/$668; 3)Karrissa nelson/Smokeys Golden Sher/16/303/$529; 5D: 1)Shelby Nelson/Sienna/16.703/$538; 2)Kensley Yandell/Dartin Cat/16.846;$446; 3)Jami Wiltbank/Butters/16.857/$353.
This article was originally published in the November 2024 issue of Barrel Horse News.
