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Lockhart, Hillman Advance to Semi-Finals at RodeoHouston Winning Super Series II and III

By Jolee Jordan

Lisa Lockhart
Photo Courtesy RodeoHouston

Houston, Texas — Some of the biggest names in WPRA barrel racing history have claimed championships at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo from World Champions Ardith Bruce (1966) to Wanda Bush (1969), from Lynn McKenzie (1979, 1981) to Charmayne James’ incredible run of ten titles in eleven years.

Though RodeoHouston, as it’s now known, has changed venues and formats over the years, one thing that has remained unchanged for half a century is the huge impact that Houston has upon the standings for cowgirls chasing WPRA World titles and berths at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR). From the nearly $800 won by Bruce over five go rounds in 1966 to the $58,750 won by Nellie Miller through the tournament style format currently used a year ago, success in RodeoHouston equals a big year for any WPRA barrel racer.

RodeoHouston began using its tournament style in 2007, the first major American rodeo to do so. Forty cowgirls compete in one of five brackets known as Super Series with advancement following three rounds based upon total money won.

Super Series IV

Lisa Lockhart is one of the WPRA’s biggest stars but her equine partner Louie is likely just as famous as Lisa amongst fans of the sport. Louie helped Lockhart to a good finish in Denver and Rapid City back in January but has been taking a break since then while his trailermates Cutter and Rosa took up the slack for the bulk of the winter stock show run.

Louie returned to the arena for RodeoHouston as Lockhart kicked off her 2019 run inside NRG Stadium. Although RodeoHouston is one of just a handful of major rodeos that are not listed on Lockhart and Louie’s resume, the pair has been very successful here, including a pair of runner-up finishes in 2014-2015 and a return to the Championships in 2016. In fact, the duo has collected nearly $80,000 in South Texas since 2014.

The wonder horse looked sharp as ever despite a month off at home, easily winning the first round of Super Series IV with a smoking time of 14.41 seconds. In fact, the teenaged son of Beibers Oakie was three full tenths better than second placed Tammy Fischer’s run of 14.71.

Proving the win was no fluke, Louie and Lockhart duplicated it 24 hours later, taking the victory lap in round two for a time of 14.36 seconds. This time the margin of victory was just over a tenth of a second ahead of another teenaged superstar of the equine variety, Radio, owned and ridden by Carley (Richardson) Cervi.

Like Louie and Lockhart, Cervi and Radio also returned to action in time for one of their favorite rodeos at Houston. Cervi has been third here in each of the last three years aboard her super consistent grey gelding, picking up an average of $16,500 per year.

On the final night of Super Series IV, Lockhart gave Louie the night off, running another young gun, Cutter, with her position into the next round virtually assured.

One cowgirl whose advancement to the Semi-Finals was still in doubt was 2018 WPRA World Champ Hailey Kinsel. But for anyone who thought that the reigning Reserve Champ of Houston might be done in the opening rounds, that thought was quickly dispelled as the hottest team in ProRodeo picked up the third round victory. Shaving better than half a second off their first two rounds inside NRG Stadium, Kinsel and Sister posted the fastest time of the rodeo to that point at 14.32 seconds to ensure that their 2019 RodeoHouston was not yet done.

Lockhart finished as the Super Series Champ with $6,000 won followed by Cervi with $4,875 and Kinsel at $4,000. The final spot went to Fischer, who earned $2,750 in three runs.

Super Series V

RodeoHouston took a break from Super Series action on Saturday, March 9 as the unsanctioned North American Championship Super Shootout team competition took place. The two run event was won by reigning RodeoHouston Champ Nellie Miller, who picked up $25,000 after running a lightning fast 14.21 in the finals. Christine Laughlin was second while two-time World Champ Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi won third.

It turned out to be a great tune-up for Miller and Pozzi Tonozzi, both part of the field in Super Series V. While Miller came out on top in the Super Shootout, the first two nights of Super Series competition went to Pozzi Tonozzi.

Riding her very quick footed sorrel mare, Mona, Pozzi Tonozzi won both rounds one and two on Sunday and Monday. Her times of 14.27 and 14.31, respectively, were the fastest to date for the rodeo.

Stevi Hillman
Photo Courtesy RodeoHouston

Miller finished third and second in the opening rounds, consistent as ever aboard her roan mare Sister.

Stevi Hillman was back aboard her gelding Cuatro Fame, aka Truck, for the first time at a rodeo since the fall and the team went right back to their winning ways, earning second in the opening round and third 24 hours later.

But the duo saved their best for last, winning the final round of preliminary competition at the 2019 RodeoHouston with the best run of the event. Truck and Hillman nailed the first corner and stopped the clock at 14.20 seconds for the victory, cinching up $6,000 for her three runs. She was named the Super Series Champ after the tie breaker (based on the three run average) went her way in the tie with Pozzi Tonozzi.

Understandably, Hillman was emotional in accepting the victory on the arena floor after months away from her main equine partner.

“I don’t know what to say… other than how incredibly blessed and thankful I feel at this moment,” she posted later to social media. “This horse tries so hard for me….It has truly taken an army and I am so thankful for all the people who have helped me get Truck back. I appreciate all the support.”

“We won our set and ran the fastest time of RODEOHOUSTON thus far… God is so good.

We run tomorrow night in Semi Finals 1!”

Hillman and Pozzi Tonozzi both won $6,000 each while Miller finished third with $5,000 won. The final qualifying position went to Jackie Ganter, the former WPRA Rookie of the Year and Junior World Champ. On her comeback trail, Ganter moves ahead to the Semi-Finals with $1,750 won during Super Series V.

Semi-Finals

Half of the forty cowgirls who began the journey here in RodeoHouston remain standing as preliminary action is now done. The twenty cowgirls left will compete during two Semi-Finals rounds held Wednesday and Thursday, March 13-14. The fastest four from each night advance directly to the Championship Round on Saturday, March 17 while the other six are given one more chance through the Wild Card Round on Friday, March 16. The top two on Friday night also move into the Championship Round.

The final night consists of two runs—the Championship features ten ladies and the Championship Shootout follows immediately after that round with the four fastest cowgirls. It is during that final round that the bulk of the big purse is divvied out—$50,000 to the winner.

Semi-Final 1 on Wednesday will feature Super Series I winner Kaylee Gallino, Super Series II winner Tiany Schuster, Super Series IV winner Lisa Lockhart as well as Super Series V winner Hillman. Also competing on Wednesday are 2018 Wrangler NFR cowgirls Tracy Nowlin and Tammy Fischer along with 2018 Rookie of the Year Jimmie Smith. Former Wrangler NFR competitor Tillar Murray and two-time Great Lakes Circuit Champ Lacinda Rose are in the field along with reigning champ Miller.

Teri Bangart leads Semi-Final 2 on Thursday as the high money winner of Super Series III; Pozzi Tonozzi will be joined by 2018 Reserve WPRA World Champ Jessica Routier and 2018 WPRA World Champ Hailey Kinsel, along with top competitors Jessi Fish, Ericka Nelson and Carmel Wright. Mountain States Circuit Champ Shali Lord in the field on Thursday as is Carley Cervi and Jackie Ganter, both former Wrangler NFR competitors.

For more information on RodeoHouston, visit them on-line at www.rodeohouston.com. Stay tuned to www.wpra.com for continuing updates from the 2019 edition.


Super Series IV

1st Go

1. Lisa Lockhart, An Oakie with Cash, 14.41, $3,000
2. Tammy Fischer, LK Sheza Hayday, 14.71, $2,000
3. Carley Cervi, Doda Flit, 14.81, $875
4. Amber Moore, Blue Duck Down, 14.81, $875

2nd Go

1. Lockhart, 14.36, $3,000
2. Cervi, 14.49, $2,000
3. Hailey Kinsel, DM Sissy Hayday, $1,000
4. Fischer, 14.76, $750

3rd Go

1. Kinsel, 14.32, $3,000
2. Cervi, 14.54, $2,000
3. Taci Bettis, Bogie is A Smash, 14.65, $1,000
4. Jill Tanner, Credit ta Fame, 14.75, $750

Total Money Won

*Lisa Lockhart, $6,000
*Carley Cervi, $4,875
*Hailey Kinsel, $4,000
*Tammy Fischer, $2,750
Taci Bettis, $1,000
Amber Moore, $875
Jill Tanner, $750

*Advance to Semi-Finals

Super Series V

1st Go

1. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, 14.27, $3,000
2. Stevi Hillman, Cuatro Fame, 14.31, $2,000
3. Nellie Miller, Rafter W Minnie Reba, 14.56, $1,000
4. Jackie Ganter, Howes A Tycoon, 14.73, $750

2nd Go

1. Pozzi Tonozzi, 14.31, $3,000
1. Miller, 14.40, $2,000
3. Hillman, 14.61, $1,000
4. Kellie Collier, Koolspeed Ta Kash, 14.63, $750

3rd Go

1. Hillman, 14.20, $3,000
2. Miller, 14.29, $2,000
3. Ganter, 14.61, $1,000
4. Carman Pozzobon, Rimes Girl, 14.82, $750

Total Money Won

*Stevi Hillman, $6,000
*Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, $6,000
*Nellie Miller, $5,000
*Jackie Ganter, $1,750
Kellie Collier, $750
Carman Pozzobon, $750

*Advance to Semi-Finals

Semi-Finals 1, March 13

Kaylee Gallino, SSI, $6,000
Stevi Hillman, SSV, $6,000
Lisa Lockhart, SSIV, $6,000
Tiany Schuster, SSII, $5,750
Tracy Nowlin, SSII, $5,000
Nellie Miller, SSV, $5,000
Tillar Murray, SSIII, $4,000
Tammy Fischer, SSIV, $2,750
Lacinda Rose, SSI, $2,500
Jimmie Smith, SSIII, $1,750

Semi-Finals 2, March 14

Teri Bangart, SSIII, $8,000
Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, SSV, $6,000
Jessica Routier, SSI, $5,000
Carley Cervi, SSIV, $4,875
Ericka Nelson, SSII, $4,750
Carmel Wright, SSII, $4,750
Hailey Kinsel, SSIV, $4,000
Jessi Fish, SSIII, $3,750
Shali Lord, SSI, $3,000
Jackie Ganter, SSV, $1,750

Courtesy of WPRA

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