Fischer Top Barrel Racer Over the Fourth of July

By Ann Bleiker

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – While the official figures for the 2018 Fourth of July run wasn’t complete until the Rooftop Rodeo in Estes Park, Colo., came to a close on July 10, it was worth the wait for Tammy Fischer who landed atop the leaderboard for WPRA Barrel Racers this year.

Fischer led all barrel racers adding $29,133 to her bank account. Making the accomplishment even more impressive is she did so without a single win but proved that being consistent and winning second place checks can add up just as quickly.

Fischer, a six-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier, is eyeing another chance to run down the alley at the Thomas and Mack. She finished 24th in 2017 but was there helping 2017 WPRA Rookie of the Year Taci Bettis. The duo would like nothing more than to be there together in 2018. Fisher last qualified for rodeo’s “super bowl” in 2011.

Fischer’s biggest Fourth of July check came north of the border at the Ponoka (Alberta) Stampede where she took home $11,307. Stevi Hillman captured the win and checks totaling $19,342. Fischer’s other two big checks came at the Cody (Wyo.) Stampede and St. Paul (Ore.) Rodeo.

In Cody, Bettis and Fischer went 1-2 with times of 16.90 and 16.93 respectively. Although, her traveling partner and rodeo protégé Bettis took top honors and a check totaling $9,674, Fischer added $7,740 to her total in second place. In St. Paul, Fischer would also take second to winner Tracy Nowlin, who finished second to Fischer in total money won over Cowboy Christmas. Fischer won $7,282 in St. Paul.

Fischer added $2,804 from the Greeley (Colo.) Stampede, another rodeo in which Nowlin landed atop the leaderboard. In 2017, Fischer landed No. 3 in the barrel racer ranking for Fourth of July with $13,681.

Nowlin won a career best $24,438 thanks to big wins in St. Paul, Ore., and Greeley, Colo. Hillman was third with $22,572 with Ponoka being her biggest payday during the busy week. Bettis was fourth with $19,210 and reigning world champion Nellie Miller rounded out the top 5 with $15,213.

A full recap of the Fourth of July rodeos will be available in the August issue of the WPRA News.

Top 10 WPRA Money earners over the Fourth of July

1. Tammy Fischer – $29,133

2. Tracy Nowlin – $24,438

3. Stevi Hillman – $22,572

4. Taci Bettis – $19,210

5. Nellie Miller – $15,213

6. Jana Bean – $14,969

7. Andrea Busby – $12,694

8. Jessica Routier – $12,057

9. Carman Pozzobon – $11,263

10. Jessie Telford – $11,181

Courtesy of WPRA