AND THEN THE RAINS CAME Jessica Routier and Missy Clean Up In a Muddy NFR Open Finals By Tim Gentry R ight around 5:30 in the evening, between the fourth and fifth performances of the NFR Open, the clouds over the Norris Penrose Event Center opened up and dumped more than a half-inch of rain on the ground. Nestled in the foothills of the
Rocky Mountains that tower over the west side of Colorado Springs, rainfall and runoff water turned the formerly dry ground of the arena into a mud bath. Sometimes you’re lucky and sometimes you’re good. Every once in a while, you’re both. Jessica Routier and Fiery Miss West (“Missy”) had caught the dead middle of the draw: first go Thursday evening and second go Friday afternoon. Both runs on dry ground and, more importantly, both very fast. Their 17.34 in the first go won them third place, and a 17.36 in the second put the pair in the average lead. Routier and Missy have been to the NFR Open many times and enjoyed a lot of success. In fact, their earnings at the event in 2018 helped propel them to their first NFR qualification, proving out the concept of the Circuit System to create a pathway to the highest levels of professional success even for those who prefer to stay closer to home. “I really think it’s a great option to have out there because I have a family, I have five kids,” explained the Buffalo, SD, cowgirl. “I don’t like to leave home as much as other people have to in order to make it to the NFR. That’s always allowed me to hit a lot of my circuit rodeos and then have that opportunity to win a lot of money at the NFR Open that can help you get to the NFR at the end of the year.” Earnings are one thing, but the NFR Open Championship had thus far eluded them. A pair of seconds, a third, a fourth and a fifth have helped her make five straight trips to the NFR. Her goal was to finally
grab that champion’s buckle, and with every drop of rain she felt better and better about her chances. “She has proven to be very successful in the mud, so I wasn’t completely disappointed that we had to run in [it],” said Routier with a soft chuckle. “I did feel bad I had to run twice in the mud within an hour of the two runs. Normally after you run in the mud, you’d find a hose and hose them all off as quickly as you can so they’re comfortable, but you couldn’t do that because then she would have been all wet when it was time to wrap her legs again before we ran.” The format for the last performance of the NFR Open brought the top eight contestants on two runs back for a semi-final run. Routier’s lead in the average had held up throughout the second go with 34.70 on two, as well as a check for fourth place in the second round. Now the number one qualifier for the semis, she had to make the top four to advance to the finals. Why settle for top four when you can win the semis outright? Routier and Missy conquered the conditions and laid down a 17.69, more than a tenth clear of second place. The deeper, more forgiving ground was just what Missy wanted to let her plant and slide through her turns the way she has throughout her career. Routier credits Missy’s ability to stay collected in her turns as a key to their success and ability to stay sound. “I like to be able to shape them into their turns and let them figure out the best way to get around,” said Routier of her hands-off style of riding. “[Missy] stays up under herself so nicely, it’s helped her on a lot of tricky ground situations. Like, even if she does slip, she usually can recover really fast because she’s so up underneath herself.” After their win in the semis, Routier did her best to wipe all the mud continued on page 21 Jessica Routier and Missy won the average at the NFR Open in a time of 34.70 seconds to advance to the top eight semifinals. Their first runs came on dry ground but by the time the semifinals and finals rolled around conditions had deteriorated to a muddy mess. However, Routier and Missy took advantage of the challenging conditions to come out on top for the first time in their career at the NFR Open. Photo by Fernando Sam-Sin
While most WPRA barrel racers were dreading the muddy situation for the final round of the NFR Open in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Jessica Routier was excited for her chances to finally capture the title. Routier, representing the Badlands Circuit, knew that her horse Missy could handle and in fact thrive on the challenging ground conditions and they did exactly that taking home the title in a time of 17.69 seconds on the final round. Photo by Tanya Hamner
18 WPRA NEWS AUGUST 2023
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