Super Series Action Concludes in Fort Worth
It was an action-packed weekend of rodeo in the Fort Worth Stockyards at Cowtown Coliseum as the PRCA, WPRA and Cowboy Channel came together to conclude the Super Series after the abrupt stoppage of RodeoHouston in March due to the coronavirus pandemic. While no fans were allowed in, all action was brought live to rodeo fans on the Cowboy Channel.
Action kicked off on Friday night, May 29, with the final round of Bracket 3. Brittney Barnett capitalized on the opportunity stopping the clock in 14.18 seconds to take the win. Taylor Langdon was second in a time of 14.41 seconds.
The following day brought in a new group of contestants that were part of Bracket 4 for a total of three rounds in one day. Jill Wilson set the pace winning the first round in a time of 14.23 seconds followed by Shali Lord in 14.31 seconds. Lord, of Lamar, Colorado, turned up the heat in the second round stopping the clock in 14.14 seconds, while Dona Kay Rule was second in 14.51 seconds. Rule rode High Valor in the first round of the day and then was aboard her horse Juice for the second round, which was a highlight after Juice’s injury that thrust Valor into the spotlight in 2019. Rule was back on Valor for the third and final round of the bracket and turned in the fastest time of the day with a 13.88. WPRA Rookie of the Year Jimmie Smith was second in 14.09.
Lord was the big money winner in bracket 4 adding $5,750 to her 2020 World Standings with a Rule a close second with $5,000.
The final bracket – bracket 5 – took place on the final day of May with No. 1 ranked barrel racer Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi taking the first round win aboard her horse Birdie in a time of 13.94 seconds. Stevi Hillman was second in 14.07 seconds.
“I had a lot of momentum going before the season came to a halt, so was hoping I would pick up where I left off,” Pozzi Tonozzi told Cowboy Channel reporter Janie Johnson after her first round victory. “It was great to get the win and felt great. Will see what the next two rounds hold.”
WPRA World Champion Nellie Miller and her famed horse Sister would match Rule’s time from the day before with a 13.88, the two fastest times of the weekend, to win the second round. Jessica Routier finished second in a time of 14.00.
“Sister is just so consistent and I know she is my best bet, so I am going to stay on her,” said Miller when asked by Cowboy Channel reporter Janie Johnson why she didn’t make a horse change for the second round like many of her other peers. “The rodeos are few and far between right now, so need to take advantage of each and every opportunity we are given.”
Routier had placed fourth in the first round, was second in the second round and finished in a tie for first with Sabra O’Quinn during the third and final round with a time of 13.90 seconds. Miller and Pozzi Tonozzi would also turn in identical times to tie for third in a time of 14.04 seconds.
When the dust had settled Pozzi Tonozzi and Miller would add $4,875 each to their 2020 earnings while Routier added $5,250.
With the conclusion of the first bracket sets from Houston all initial RodeoHouston earnings will now be added to the overall world standings. Update standings can be found at www.wpra.com.
Finishing Super Series Results (money is amount added to world standings): Bracket 3, third round: 1. Brittney Barnett, 14.18 seconds, $3,000; 2. Taylor Langdon, 14.41, $2,000; 3. Kassie Mowry, 15.23, $1,000; 4. Jackie Ganter, 19.22, $750.
Bracket 4 – First round: 1. Jill Wilson, 14.23 seconds, $3,000; 2. Shali Lord, 14.31, $2,000; 3. Lisa Thornton, 14.41, $1,000; 4. Wenda Johnson, 18.95, $750. Second round: Shali Lord, 14.14 seconds, $3,000; 2. Dona Kay Rule, 14.51, $2,000; 3. Jimmie Smith, 14.55, $1,000; 4. Lisa Thornton, 14.82, $750. Third round: 1. Dona Kay Rule, 13.88 seconds, $3,000; 2. Jimmie Smith, 14.09, $2,000; 3. Jill Wilson, 14.23, $1,000; 4. Shali Lord, 14.56, $750.
Bracket 5 – First round: 1. Brittany Pozzi-Tonozzi, 13.94 seconds, $3,000; 2. Stevi Hillman, 14.07, $2,000; 3. Nellie Miller, 14.17, $1,000; 4. Jessica Routier, 14.25 $750. Second round: 1. Nellie Miller, 13.88 seconds, $3,000; 2. Jessica Routier, 14.00, $2,000; 3. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 14.07, $1,000; 4. Hailey Kinsel Lockwood, 14.17, $750. Third round: 1. (tie) Sabra O’Quinn and Jessica Routier, 13.90 seconds, $2,500 each; 3. (tie) Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi and Nellie Miller, 14.04, $875 each.
Courtesy of WPRA