Sitting No. 1 in the average, Cervi has taken the aggregate to a new level by not only leaving all of the barrels standing thus far, but by placing in every round. If she earns go-round checks in the final two rounds, she will be just the fifth barrel racer in history – Kristie Peterson being the most recent, in 1997 – to earn checks in all 10 rounds of the Wrangler NFR. Incidentally, Cervi was also competing at the NFR in 1997, then on Jet Royal Speed (“Hawk”).
The key to her consistency? 
“I know Stingray knows her job and I just have to keep remembering to ride her. She’s gotten tight a couple of times and that’s because I’ve quit riding her. She just is an incredible horse and I feel very fortunate to be able to ride her,” said the cowgirl from Marana, Ariz.
Cervi came into the NFR with $147,417.70 in regular season earnings. So far, she has added $93,850.16 to that number and has the $47,776 first-place average check on her mind. All totaled, she has the very real potential to shatter the single-season earnings record in the barrel racing. With tonight’s win, she regained her lead in the Ram Top Gun Award standings, which goes to the contestant who wins the most money in a single event. Taylor Jacob, who temporarily took over the lead after her fourth go-round win in last night’s round, hit a barrel tonight, as did Lisa Lockhart, who was Cervi’s closest threat in the average.
Jane Melby and First Down Perk finished in second place tonight with their 13.77-second run. Shada Brazile jockeyed Dial It Fast to their personal best time of the week, a 13.80 for third. Michele McLeod and Slick By Design finished fourth with a 13.84. Sheza Blazin Move carried Christy Loflin to a fifth-place finish in 13.89 seconds, and Kaley Bass and Wonders Cowboy Dan clocked a 14.01 to finish sixth.
Don’t miss the February issue of Barrel Horse News to read in-depth coverage of all the great stories from the 2013 Wrangler NFR.
Barrel Racing Results – 8th Go Round:
1. Sherry Cervi, Marana, Ariz., MP Meter My Hay, 13.71, $18,630
2. Jane Melby, Burneyville, Okla., First Down Perk, 13.77, $14,724
3. Shada Brazile, Decatur, Texas, Dial It Fast, 13.80, $11,118
4. Michele McLeod, Whitesboro, Texas, Slick By Design, 13.84, $7,813
5. Christy Loflin, Frankton, Colo., Sheza Blazin Move, 13.89, $4,808
6. Kaley Bass, Kissimmee, Fla., Wonders Cowboy Dan, 14.01, $3,005
7. Brittany Pozzi, Victoria, Texas, Ima Super Fly Guy, 14.09
8. Jean Winters, Texline, Texas, Crickets Peppy Zan, 14.17
9. Sydni Blanchard, Albuquerque, N.M., NF French Tigger, 14.21
10. Trula Churchill, Valentine, Neb., A Streak Of Rita, 18.60
11. Taylor Jacob, Carmine, Texas, Honor Thy Frenchman, 18.73
12. Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D., An Oakie With Cash, 18.84
13. Mary Walker, Ennis, Texas, Perculatin, 18.84
14. Fallon Taylor, Whitesboro, Texas, Flos Heiress, 19.03
15. Sabrina Ketcham, Yeso, N.M., Write It Thelma, 19.32
Wrangler NFR Average Standings
Rank/Name/Aggregate/Aggregate Prize/Total NFR Earnings
1. Sherry Cervi 110.11/8 $0.00 $93,850
2. Kaley Bass 111.87/8 $0.00 $38,462
3. Shada Brazile 112.16/8 $0.00 $17,127
4. Lisa Lockhart 116.18/8 $0.00 $34,255
5. Christy Loflin 116.88/8 $0.00 $27,143
6. Michele McLeod 120.68/8 $0.00 $37,260
7. Taylor Jacob 123.99/8 $0.00 $82,432
8. Mary Walker 125.39/8 $0.00 $54,688
9. Jane Melby 126.57/8 $0.00 $20,733
10. Sydni Blanchard 128.33/8 $0.00 $14,724
11. Fallon Taylor 131.67/8 $0.00 $15,925
12. Jean Winters 132.81/8 $0.00 $0.00
13. Brittany Pozzi 135.35/8 $0.00 $18,930
14. Sabrina Ketcham 137.81/8 $0.00 $11,118
15. Trula Churchill 140.99/8 $0.00 $14,123
Jack Daniel’s World Rankings
Rank/Name/Season Winnings/NFR Earnings/Total World Earnings
1. Sherry Cervi $147,417.70 $93,850.16 $241,267.87
2. Mary Walker $137,115.47 $54,687.51 $191,802.98
3. Taylor Jacob $82,052.46 $82,431.90 $164,484.36
4. Michele McLeod $109,590.66 $37,259.62 $146,850.28
5. Christy Loflin $105,042.13 $27,143.42 $132,185.55
6. Kaley Bass $87,514.54 $38,461.54 $125,976.08
7. Fallon Taylor $100,859.83 $15,925.48 $116,785.31
8. Lisa Lockhart $82,037.39 $34,254.80 $116,292.19
9. Brittany Pozzi $94,225.26 $18,930.29 $113,155.55
10. Sabrina Ketcham $100,217.15 $11,117.78 $111,334.93
11. Jane Melby $76,264.66 $20,733.18 $96,997.84
12. Shada Brazile $68,379.01 $17,127.41 $85,506.42
13. Sydni Blanchard $68,143.59 $14,723.56 $82,867.15
14. Trula Churchill $66,725.53 $14,122.59 $80,848.12
15. Jean Winters $69,846.65 $0.00 $69,846.65
