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World Champion Ropers Crowned, Ganter Wins Slot Race at WPRA World Finals

By Ann Bleiker
10/25/15

Waco, Texas — The Women’s Professional Rodeo Association crowned five new world champions on Saturday, Oct. 24 in Waco, Texas, at the WPRA World Finals at the Extraco Event Center.

In 2014, Jackie Crawford captured three world titles bringing her total to 13. Although the Stephenville cowgirl didn’t leave with that many world titles in 2015, she did captured the all-around title to bring her overall total of world titles to 14. Crawford had a very impressive finals earning a total of $5,792, that added to her season total brought her final all-around standings to $7,024. Lari Dee Guy was hot on her heels winning $5,152 at the World Finals and $5,953 overall.

Guy captured the world title in the team roping heading with partner Annette Stahl, who picked up her second consecutive title in the heeling. The duo won the average title at the WPRA World Finals en route to the world title. They finished with a 33.6 on four head. Ashley Richardson and Kyla McCain was second in the average with 39.2. Guy ended the season with $14,316, while Stahl collected $14,473 on the year.

While it took 20 years for her first title it only took four for Kari Nixon to capture her second title in the tie-down roping after a dominate World Finals. Nixon of Freedom, Okla., won $2,164 at the WPRA World Finals to end the season with a total of $5,255. She picked up the average title as well with a total time of 58.4 seconds on four head. Donene Taylor of Glenrock, Wyo., finished as reserve world champion with $3,301.

The tightest race for a world title was in the breakaway roping and Erin Johnson outlasted Suzanne Williams to capture her third world title. Johnson of Pueblo, Colo., finished with $12,752 while Williams of Gerber, Calif., finished with $12,224. Johnson came into the Finals in the lead and although she didn’t win any money in Waco, her lead was enough to hold on to the top spot. Williams won $385 while in Waco. Kelsie Chace captured the average title in dominate fashion with a four head time of 12.2 seconds. Her closest competitor was Jennifer Casey with a 19.7.

Megan Swint is currently leading the average in the WPRA Card holder race after stopping the clock in 15.07 seconds in the second round. She added that to her winning time of 15.05 seconds in Rd. 1 to hold the lead with a 30.12. 2006 WPRA World Champion Mary Burger is second in 30.14. Kyra Stierwalt won the second round in a time of 14.97 seconds to add $2,430 to her 2016 WPRA Pro Rodeo earnings.

The biggest payday of the day went to Jackie Ganter, who captured the WPRA Slot Race and a check totaling $13,965. Ganter rode, Guys French Jet owned by Angela Ganter, to the title and stopped the clock in 15.05 seconds. Close behind was Brookie Rix aboard Gypsey Hat O Fame owned by Debbie Tiffee. Rix won a check worth $11,471. Ganter will be riding Jet at her first 2015 Wrangler NFR as she competes for the 2015 WPRA Rookie title as well as the world title.

The WPRA World Finals will come to a close on Sunday. Final round action in the barrel racing division can be seen on the Horse Sports Network.

Courtesy of WPRA

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