Hillman Lookin’ Sharp in Round Nine

Photos by Kenneth Springer

December 13, 2019 — Las Vegas — Stevi Hillman picked up her long-awaited win in Round Nine of the 2019 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo with a 13.53 on MCM Imasharpguy, marking Hillman’s first-career go-round win. Hillman started the Wrangler NFR aboard “Sharpie,” picking up a check in Round One. The Weatherford, Texas, resident jockeyed Sharpie again in Round Two but hit a barrel and jumped on two other horses for Rounds Three through Six, hitting more tough luck with downed barrels and a broken pattern.

In Round Seven, Hillman and Sharpie came down the Thomas and Mack Center alleyway for a clean time of 13.93, just outside of a money-paying position. Round Nine proved to be their comeback. The duo took to the dirt in the fifth draw position on the ground and turned up the crowd with the fastest time of the barrel racing at the Wrangler NFR so far.

“I was determined to keep the barrels up tonight. I know I rode his neck a few times, but I was really determined to keep the barrels up tonight. He felt great, and I’m so proud of him,” Hillman said, adding that the reason Sharpie sat out a few rounds was to keep him healthy and happy. “We were just trying to keep him feeling his best and keep him on top of the ground. I’ve had a big struggle this week with a lot of things, and I got back on him and it feels like putting on a glove getting back on him.”

Hillman admits the week has been a struggle and has challenged her mental fortitude as well as horsemanship.

“It’s been really, really hard this week. This week has tested my mental game with a lot of things, but I just have to stay focused on one night at a time, one rodeo at a time; one-head rodeo every night,” Hillman said. “The fans keep me going. I get to go to the [autograph] signings and the little girls who look up to me, that’s what pushes me to come back here every night and give it my all.”

The gelding by A Sharp Frenchman and out of the late Mulberry Canyon Moon by Marthas Six Moons is owned by Matt and Bendi Dunn and has a strong legacy in the Thomas and Mack Center arena.

“Bendi Dunn told me today that Sharpie’s mom won Rounds Nine and Ten with Angie Meadors,” Hillman said. “I thought that was pretty special.”

Ivy Conrado Saebens holds onto her lead in the aggregate with a 124.58 on nine runs, while Emily Miller follows in second with a 124.60. Hailey Kinsel Lockwood added another paycheck to her earnings with a second-place finish in the round, worth $20,730.77, bringing her 2019 Wrangler NFR earnings to $134,807.70. Lockwood’s season earnings sit at $283,674.34, further solidifying her No. 1 position in the world standings.

ROUND NINE RESULTS

1. Stevi Hillman, MCM Imasharpguy, 13.53, $26,230.77
2. Hailey Kinsel, DM Sissy Hayday, 13.64, $20,730.77
3. Dona Kay Rule, High Valor, 13.78, $15,653.85
4. Nellie Miller, Rafter W Minnie Reba, 13.79, $11,000
5. Lacinda Rose, RR Meradas Real Deal, 13.84, $6,769.23
6. Emily Miller, Namgis D 33, 13.87, $4,230.77
7. Ivy Conrado Saebens, KN Fabs Gift Of Fame, 13.97
8. Lisa Lockhart, An Oakie With Cash, 14.17
9. Jennifer Sharp, KR Famous Tequilla, 18.89*
10. Amberleigh Moore, CP Dark Moon, 18.99*
11. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, Ima Famous Babe, 19.00*
12. Jessica Routier, Fiery Miss West, 19.04*
13. Shali Lord, Freckles Ta Fame, 19.33*
14. Cheyenne Wimberley, KN Fabs Mist Of Fame, 23.68**
15. Ericka Nelson, PC Cash, 24.12**

*Denotes penalty

AGGREGATE STANDINGS ON NINE RUNS

1. Ivy Conrado Saebens, 124.58
2. Emily Miller, 124.60
3. Hailey Kinsel, 128.57
4. Nellie Miller, 130.57
5. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 130.67
6. Lisa Lockhart, 130.76
7. Shali Lord, 130.85
8. Lacinda Rose, 131.25
9. Jessica Routier, 134.58
10. Dona Kay Rule, 134.95
11. Jennifer Sharp, 146.27
12. Amberleigh Moore, 148.66
13. Cheyenne Wimberley, 161.43
14. Ericka Nelson, 161.56
15. Stevi Hillman, 130.59 on eight runs*

Average Payout: $253,846.15

1. $67,269.23
2. $54,576.92
3. $43,153.85
4. $31,730.77
5. $22,846.15
6. $16,500
7. $11,423.08
8. $6,346.15

WORLD STANDINGS

1. Hailey Kinsel Lockwood, $283,674.34
2. Amberleigh Moore, $207,982.30
3. Nellie Miller, $204,168.19
4. Emily Miller, $210,221.66
5. Dona Kay Rule, $190,276.73
6. Ivy Conrado Saebens, $181,750.01
7. Lisa Lockhart, $181,313.19
8. Jessica Routier, $180,197.29
9. Stevi Hillman, $157,219.44
10. Shali Lord, $143,775.59
11. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, $135,599.55
12. Lacinda Rose, $127,493.54
13. Jennifer Sharp, $114,023.68
14. Ericka Nelson, $110,202.47
15. Cheyenne Wimberley, $107,130.08