PRESIDENT CORNER T he rodeo trail is heating up as we embark on one of the busiest months of the ProRodeo season. July is a big month with all of the prize money that is out there to compete for not only in the United States but also
steer wrestling and helped the Oklahoman also claim the RCA All Around championship, all in 1962. Johnson gave back to the WPRA serving on the Board of Directors from 1963- 1971, including a stint as the Vice President. Joining her in the Class of 2023 will be Fay Ann Horton Leach. Fay Ann led the Girls Rodeo Association (GRA-now WPRA) as a founding member, competitor, and board member. One of the 38 women who met in San Angelo, Texas, on February 28, 1948, to form the very first professional sports association created solely for women by women. While Leach never won a world title in barrel racing she was always in the mix qualifying for nine consecutive NFRs (1959-1967). She would finish third in the world in 1962 behind Johnson and Bush. Congratulations to two of our members Taycie Matthews and Makayla Farkas on their recent wins at the College National Finals Rodeo. Taycie was the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Champion in the barrel racing and Makayla was the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Champion in the breakaway roping. We are anxious to watch these ladies’ careers unfold within the ranks of the WPRA. Be safe out there on the road and remember to make memories that will last a lifetime.
Canada. The Reno Rodeo is always the kickoff to this busy season and what another great event it was this year. Congrats to Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi on collecting her first set of spurs from this iconic rodeo after being close so many times before. And to do it in arena record fashion was the cherry on top. On the breakaway side, Shelby Boisjoli put on a show for the fans and came on top as well. The newlywed has definitely been on fire lately. This month the WPRA will add two very deserving members to the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. Sherry Combs Johnson will join her sister, Florence Youree, and her standout horse Star Plaudit “Red” inside the ProRodeo Hall of Fame on July 15. She won her first WPRA world title in 1961 in the all-around category, but the highlight of her career would come in 1962 when she won the barrel racing world title aboard Star Plaudit “Red.” Star Plaudit holds a very unique record in the world of professional rodeo, one that is not likely to ever be duplicated. The bay gelding won two World Championships in the sport in a single year and contributed to a third, at the age of 12. Red carried his owner Johnson to the GRA World title in the barrel racing and close family friend Tom Nesmith to the RCA world title in the
6 WPRA NEWS JULY 2023
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