Article provided courtesy WPRA, Photo by James Phifer, RodeoBum.com

WACO, TEXAS –– OCTOBER 27, 2019 — The Women’s Professional Rodeo Association World Finals came to an electric finish with National Finals Rodeo qualifier Tillar Murray setting a new arena record inside the Extraco Events Center in Waco, Texas.

Murray, of Fort Worth, Texas, won the short round in the WPRA Card Holder Race on October 27, stopping the clock in a time of 15.534 seconds. The previous record was held by Taylor Langdon with a 15.57 set earlier this month at the Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo. That time was bested twice during the WPRA World Finals with two-time WPRA World Champion Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi running Ima Famous Babe (Dash Ta Fame x Streakin Six Babe x Streaking Six) stopping the clock in 15.564 as the ninth runner out Sunday. Murray came eight runners later on Royal Star Commander (AR Star x Go Royal Scarlett x Royal Go Go) and turned in the record run.

“I can always tell when Commander walks down the alley if it’s going to be a nice run, and today he came to win,” Murray said. “Win or lose though, I treasure every run I get to make on him.”

Alex Lang captured the average title in the cardholder race and earned a spot in 2020 RodeoHouston. Lang finished with 47.223 on three runs on Angels On The Moon, barely edging first-time Wrangler NFR qualifier Dona Kay Rule who finished with a 47.225 on the 2019 Barrel Racing Horse of the Year High Valor. Pozzi Tonozzi was third in a total time of 47.250, and Murray took fifth with a 47.481.

Pozzi Tonozzi took the average title in the Derby division riding Ima Famous Babe with a two –run time of 31.336, followed by Kelsey Lutjen on VF Chasin Cans with a 31.440. Hilary Van Gerpen won the world title aboard PC Judge Cash N Lace the same mount she won the WPRA Futurity World Title a year ago.

Kassie Mowry and Famous Ladies Man took the futurity average title at the WPRA World Finals with a 31.712, while Cayla Small and Slick N Black finished second in 31.993. Karen Gleason won the year-end futurity title aboard Mobetta Fame. Colleen Vondra took home the futurity 2D year-end title on SCF Lakewood Fame.

In the Junior Division, McKenzie Morgan took home her first WPRA Junior World Championship. The Maryville, Tennessee, teen won more than $40,500 on the year, and although she didn’t compete in Waco, her lead was too great for anyone to catch her. Paige Jones took home the average on High Cotton Lane. She finished with a two-run time of 31.577 to edge Alexis Lynch on Firin To Be A Hero with a 32.165.

Winning the Permit-only race, Jessie Domann finished with a 48.422 on three runs. She easily filled her permit, picking up $1,036 for the average alone.            

A full list of results can be found at www.wpra.com. WPRA photo by James Phifer, Rodeobum.com

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