Article and Photo By Kailey Sullins
Kissimmee, Florida — Inside the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, Florida, the first round of the Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo concluded April 7, 2017, with fast times and top-shelf competition. The first section of round No. 1 began April 6, where a 15.46 took the lead. On April 7, 12 more cowgirls made their bids at a first-place paycheck. Tracy Nowlin topped the field with an ultra fast 15.26.
The first round of the RNCFR saw a tight race with only .12 seconds separating first and second places. Lori Todd took home second in the first round with a 15.38 from Friday’s performance. Tiany Schuster placed third with a 15.43, followed by Emily Miller who kept a place in the standings with her 15.46 from Thursday.
Todd turned in a fast time of 15.26 riding her 11-year-old mare JG Madison. Nowlin says she had a few pre-run jitters due to her horse’s body language and excitement, however she steadied her nerves to run a barn-burner for the win.
“I was a little worried tonight,” Nowlin said. “She was really up on her toes, and she’s usually really laid back, but I was just going to let her go in there and do her job.”
Nowlin picked up a rich $6,254 for her win—the top six in the round earned a collective sum of $18,953.
Of the 26 barrel racers competing at the RNCFR, the eight with the fastest total times on two rounds will advance to the semifinals. A tournament-style rodeo, the RNCFR format determines the national circuit champions in each event. Typically, 24 qualifiers from the 12 circuits compete in the two preliminary rounds of the rodeo. The top eight contestants from each event advance to the clean-slate finals round.
Tracy Nowlin and JG Madison topped round one with a 15.26.
Round 1 Leaders – after second performance
1.Tracy Nowlin, Nowata, Okla., 15.26, $6,254
2.Lori Todd, Willcox, Ariz., 15.38, $4,738
3.Tiany Schuster, Krum, Texas, 15.43, $3,412
4.Emily Miller, Weatherford, Okla., 15.46, $2,274
5.Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D., 15.48, $1,327
6.Amberleigh Moore, Keizer, Ore., 15.51, $948
7.Nellie Miller, Cottonwood, Calif., 15.52
8.Ari-Anna Flynn, Charleston, Ark., 15.53
9.Carmel Wright, Roy, Mont., 15.54
10.Jana Griemsman, Piedmont, S.D., 15.55
11.Ashley Baur, Virnamwood, Wis., 15.67
12.Jordan Moore, Mauston, Wis., 15.69
13.Sabra O’Quinn, Oscala, Fla., 15.71
14. Sherry Cervi, Marana, Ariz., 15.71
15. Brittany Pozzi-Tonozzi, Victoria, Texas, 15.81
16. Kathy Grimes, Medical Lake, Wash., 15.90
17. Nikki Hansen, Dickinson, N.D., 15.92
18. Calli Van Tassell, Draper, Utah, 16.09
19. Luisa Herrera, Chihuahua, Mexico, 16.27
20. Nas Yverino, Coahuila, Mexico, 17.08
21. Karly Stoltzfus, McClure, Pa., 17.08
22. Kathy Korell-Rach, Loveland, Co., 20.38 *
23. Trula Churchill, Valentine, Neb., 20.79*
24. Lindsey Hayes-Banks, Opelika, Ala., 20.81*
25. Wendy Chestnut, Poultney, Vt., 21.02*
26. Jessie Telford, Caldwell, Idaho, 21.60*
* Indicates time including penalty
Average Round 1 Leaders – on one run
1.Tracy Nowlin, Nowata, Okla., 15.26, $6,254
2.Lori Todd, Willcox, Ariz., 15.38, $4,738
3.Tiany Schuster, Krum, Texas, 15.43, $3,412
4.Emily Miller, Weatherford, Okla., 15.46, $2,274
5.Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D., 15.48, $1,327
6.Amberleigh Moore, Keizer, Ore., 15.51, $948
7.Nellie Miller, Cottonwood, Calif., 15.52
8.Ari-Anna Flynn, Charleston, Ark., 15.53
9.Carmel Wright, Roy, Mont., 15.54
10.Jana Griemsman, Piedmont, S.D., 15.55
11.Ashley Baur, Virnamwood, Wis., 15.67
12.Jordan Moore, Mauston, Wis., 15.69
13.Sabra O’Quinn, Oscala, Fla., 15.71
14. Sherry Cervi, Marana, Ariz., 15.71
15. Brittany Pozzi-Tonozzi, Victoria, Texas, 15.81
16. Kathy Grimes, Medical Lake, Wash., 15.90
17. Nikki Hansen, Dickinson, N.D., 15.92
18. Calli Van Tassell, Draper, Utah, 16.09
19. Luisa Herrera, Chihuahua, Mexico, 16.27
20. Nas Yverino, Coahuila, Mexico, 17.08
21. Karly Stoltzfus, McClure, Pa., 17.08
22. Kathy Korell-Rach, Loveland, Co., 20.38 *
23. Trula Churchill, Valentine, Neb., 20.79*
24. Lindsey Hayes-Banks, Opelika, Ala., 20.81*
25. Wendy Chestnut, Poultney, Vt., 21.02*
26. Jessie Telford, Caldwell, Idaho, 21.60*
* Indicates time including penalty
Kailey Sullins is managing editor of Barrel Horse News. Email comments on this article to [email protected].
