JUNE 9, 2019, ELIZABETH, COLORADO — The award-winning Elizabeth (Colorado) Stampede Rodeo helped kick off the 2019 summer rodeo season for the Mountain States Circuit from June 8-9, and its $27,000 in added money attracted top names in the sport, including barrel racing. Boasting a lineup of 92 entries, including Women’s Professional Rodeo Association top-10 ranked ladies Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi and Shali Lord, the small town rodeo saw its 2,100-plus seating capacity grandstands packed for all three performances and ready to roar.
Saturday afternoon was sunny and mild, and the good crowd saw Wyoming barrel racer Amy Jo Reisdorfer lay down a challenge for the rest of the weekend with a fast time of 16.13 seconds. Riding 11-year-old Streakin Jet Remedy (2008 gelding, A Streak Of Fling x Imashooin x If Im Elected), the duo absorbed the energy from the stands throughout their pattern.
“I love it, and ‘Blue Duck,’ he absolutely loves the crowds,” Reisdorfer said of racing in front of full stands. “It makes him want to run a lot faster and show off. I used to hear the crowd noise and now I don’t even hear it. I am just talking to my horse the entire time, saying ‘stay out of his way, Amy Jo, let him do his job.’ I love it at Elizabeth, and I love it when they scream like that. It is fun for Blue Duck, anyway.”
It ended up being fun for Reisdorfer’s finances, as well, since that time held up throughout the weekend and was only tied Sunday afternoon by Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, whose identical 16.13 edged third-place finisher Shali Lord’s quick run of 16.14 seconds. The $1,641 payday was a nice boost for Reisdorfer’s circuit winnings and kept her close behind Lord’s current position at the top.
While Reisdorfer traveled from Wyoming to compete in Elizabeth, Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi drove all way from Texas on Saturday to ride at the venue Sunday afternoon.
“I had driven all night from Texas to get there,” Pozzi Tonozzi said. “My sister had a baby shower Saturday afternoon in Austin. After her baby shower, we left and drove all night and got to Elizabeth and ran and made it worth our while to drive all night.”
Aboard 6-year-old mare Ima Famous Babe (Dash Ta Fame x Streakin Six Babe x Streakin Six), Pozzi Tonozzi matched Residorfer’s leading time and nailed down a share of first place. Considering “Katniss'” limited rodeo experience, the Texas barrel racer was pleased with the result.
“I was pretty impressed with her at Elizabeth, just handling the ground so well and being on the trailer all night. She proved to me she can come handle it,” Pozzi Tonozzi said. “I try not to miss it [Elizabeth]. It is really a fun, good rodeo and the committee is awesome. They feed us well and it is just always a fun one to go to.”
When results were official, Reisdorfer felt only gratitude.
“I was grateful my spot held with those caliber of horses and riders,” Reisdorfer said. “Blue Duck works really well at Elizabeth, and I was just like I am going to trust him and let him do his thing and stay out of his way and it worked. So I was thankful.”
As far as her thoughts on the gelding?
“He is just part of our family and every run on him is a big blessing,” Reisdorfer said. “He picked me, and so I am thankful to be a part of his journey. It is a good way to start the summer.”
