Here is what Hope Thompson had to say about her win in Logandale in April: “Last year, I was beating myself up and you can’t win when you’re doing that. I’m having a lot more fun this year! " Be sure to read more about that win along with our special Mother's Day feature on the Youree Family.
www.wpra.com
May 2023
Laser Focused Thompson Takes 1st in Logandale
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CONTENTS
News
431 S. Cascade Colorado Springs, Colo., 80903 PH: 719 - 447 - 4627 FX: 719 - 447 - 4631 Please contact the WPRA office for all correspondence regarding the WPRA News.
Jimmie Munroe WPRA President Ann Bleiker (719) 330-4293 ableiker@yahoo.com Managing Editor Paige Louis Thomas (719) 633-7700 paigeink@gmail.com Graphic Designer Allie Bohus Josie Fladager Tim Gentry Ted Harbin Joe Kusek Kristen M. White Contributing Writers WPRA Office (719) 447-4627 (877) 977-2462 Fax: (719) 447-4631 www.wpra.com
14
28
President’s Corner......................................................................................................................6
In The News.................................................................................................................................8
Taking Care of Business............................................................................................................9
2023 WPRA ProRodeo and Rookie Standings......................................................................10
2023 ProRodeo Breakaway and Rookie Standings.............................................................11
Logandale, Nevada: Hope Thompson ................................................................................. 12
Western Swing: Wenda Johnson............................................................................................ 13
Mother’s Day Feature.............................................................................................................. 14
2023 PRCA/WPRA Circuit Standings...................................................................................... 15
Business Of.............................................................................................................................. 16
Winner’s Circle......................................................................................................................... 18
WPRA News does not endorse and is not re- sponsible for the contents of any ad in this publication. Neither that information nor any opinion which may be expressed here constitutes a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any securities. Opinions expressed in letters to the editor and commentaries are those of the authors and not necessarily those of WPRA NEWS. WPRA News (ISSN 1093-9202) is pub- lished monthly by the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association. Subscriptions are $45 a year. Postmaster: Send address changes to WPRA News , 431 S. Cascade, Colorado Springs, Colo., 80903 WPRA News is designed to provide cur- rent news and results to the members of the WPRA and WPRA All-Women Rodeo. Direct all editorial and advertising corre- spondence to WPRA News , 431 S. Cascade, Colorado Springs, Colo., 80903 Trademark 2017 WPRA NEWS Published by the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association Printed, produced and read in the U.S.A.
San Angelo Rodeo: Kassie Mowry......................................................................................... 20
2023 PRCA/WPRA Breakaway Roping Circuit Standings.....................................................21
Oakdale, CA breakaway roping: Kaylee Billingsley ............................................................. 22
2023 WPRA Roping World Standings.................................................................................... 23
Red Bluff Round-up barrel racing: Payton Schoeppach .................................................... 24
Red Bluff Round-up breakaway roping: Macy Young ......................................................... 26
Futurity/Derby Standings....................................................................................................... 27
Junior Standings...................................................................................................................... 27
WPRA 75th Hall of Fame Exhibit............................................................................................ 28
On the Cover : Hope Thompson is ready for a return to the National Finals Breakaway Roping, and she hopes the work she’s been putting in the last couple of years will pay off this season. With a big victory in Logandale, Nevada, she seems to be on the up and up. Photo by Amanda Dilworth
4 WPRA NEWS MAY 2023
PRESIDENT CORNER T his month, we get to celebrate all our mothers in a special way on Mother’s Day whether they are still with us here on earth or watching from above. We have many mothers and daughters that have been
more deserving individuals into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame this summer – Fay Ann Horton Leach and Sherry Combs Johnson. Mark your calendars for July 15 and join us in Colorado Springs to honor these two ladies as well as the inductees of the PRCA. In April, we also launched a WPRA Official Merchandise store. Visit our website – www.wpra.com and click on Official Store to see what all we have to offer. We will be adding additional 75th exclusive items in the months to come. I thank those who worked on getting this store up and running. We just wrapped up the second Cowboy Channel’s Resistol Rookie Roundup at Cowtown Coliseum in Fort Worth. The action was top notch, and I am inspired by all the young up-and- coming talent we have in the WPRA. Congrats to Kalli McCall on winning the barrel racing title, while two-event cowgirl Quincy Sullivan captured the breakaway roping title. Thanks to the Cowboy Channel and Resistol for featuring the future of rodeo on a grand stage like the Rookie Roundup. Enjoy this last month before the busy and hectic summer run is upon us and cherish the time with family and friends. Travel safe and Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there!
and are currently members of the WPRA. In this issue, we highlight the Youree family who have impacted multiple generations of the WPRA. Starting with the matriarch Florence Youree who did so much to advance the Association with one of her biggest impacts being getting the barrel race as a staple event in the National Finals Rodeo when it was in Oklahoma City. Her daughter, Renee Ward, followed in her mother’s footsteps and qualified for the NFR in 1985, the first year the NFR was held in Las Vegas. Renee’s two daughters Janae Ward Massey and Kylie Ward Weast have since competed under the bright lights of Las Vegas with Janae winning the world title in 2003. In celebration of our 75th Anniversary and Mother’s Day we think you will enjoy the special story on a very special WPRA family. Speaking of our 75th Anniversary if you are in the Colorado Springs area, I encourage you to stop by the ProRodeo Hall of Fame and check out the WPRA’s special exhibit in the 101 Gallery. This exhibit officially opened on May 1 and will remain a featured exhibit through the middle of September. Take a walk down memory lane with the history and images of the Top 15 barrel racers from the 1960s through 2022. As mentioned last month we will be inducting two
6 WPRA NEWS MAY 2023
IN THE NEWS WPRA Launches Merchandise Line The WPRA has launched an official merchandise line that includes t-shirts, sweatshirts, outerwear and caps. There are a variety of options using the standard WPRA logo in addition to artwork depicting barrel racing and breakaway roping. To check-out the full line visit www.wpra.com and click on Official Store at the top of the page or simply visit wpra.store. Additional items including exclusive 75 th Anniversary products will be added in the coming months so check back often for the most recent items available. Pioneer Week in Utah May 1, 2023 WPRA Athletes, Please join me July 17–24 in Utah to compete in three spectacular rodeos – Salt Lake City’s Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo, Spanish Fork Fiesta Days Rodeo, and Ogden Pioneer Days Rodeo. These highly competitive and well-renowned rodeos take place each year. This year alone, our impressive group has raised the bar by collectively contributing over $970,000 in additional money for an estimated $2 million in total payouts across the three rodeos – all this happening within a 5-day span in a 100-mile radius. With this kind of money on the line, the road to the NFR will pass through the State of Utah. Additionally, we have new bonus buckle and cash payout recognition for the highest event placements for participants competing in all three rodeos. Utah has, and always will, support the Western lifestyle that harkens back to our pioneer heritage. Our state’s ancestors are the definition of true grit - that same grit that drives the world’s best cowboys and cowgirls to compete for world titles. These three rodeos feature intimate rodeo arenas where fans will keep you in your saddle. Experience Western hospitality, and the most breathtaking local scenery. We hope you take advantage of this opportunity and choose to spend this week with us in the Beehive State. Come join us the third week of July for history-making rodeo payouts, and while you are here, we invite you to enjoy some great hiking, fishing, golf, and so much more. We look forward to seeing you in Utah! Sincerely,
Mike Schultz Majority Leader Utah House of Representatives
8 WPRA NEWS MAY 2023
TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS
Rule of the Month As your rodeo schedules get busier, this is a reminder of the options available to you if you are unable to make it to your rodeo after you have entered: Turnout through the online entry system (no later than 3 hours prior to your performance) Release by calling Procom (no later than 3 hours prior to your performance)
WPRA 2023 Holiday Schedule Holiday Day of Week From the Corner Office
Date
Memorial Day
Monday Tuesday Monday Thursday
May 29
Independence Day
July 4
Labor Day
September 4 November 23 November 24 December 22 December 25 December 29
Thanksgiving Day
Each option has different fees associated with them. Please be familiar with the full release and turnout sections 10.7. & 10.8. in the 2023 WPRA Rule Book.
Day After Thanksgiving Friday
Christmas Eve Christmas Day New Year’s Eve
Friday
Monday
Friday
2024 Holiday New Year’s Eve Day
Monday
January 1
Roping Director Update As you know, this year the WPRA Board added an additional Roping Director to better serve the membership and to manage the ever-increasing number of breakaway rodeo approvals. Earlier this year, Christi Braudrick and Lynn Smith were elected to serve in these positions. With 2 roping Directors serving you, the decision was made to break the US into 2 regions. Each region has a similar member concentration as well as work with the connections that each Director has with stock contractors and rodeo committees. Christi Braudrick will oversee the following circuits: Texas, Prairie, Badlands, Great Lakes, First Frontier and Southeastern Lynn Smith will oversee these circuits: Turquoise, Mountain
Thought of the Month We cannot force Someone to hear a Message they are not Ready to receive.
But we must never Underestimate The power of Planting a seed!
States, Montana, Columbia River, Wilderness and California As always, please reach out to the WPRA office, Directors or spokeswomen with any questions you may have.
Did you Know Controlling environmental dust in your horse’s breathing zone is important for your horse’s health.
“Surround yourself with people who fight for you in rooms you aren’t in.”
Horses with no known history of airway disease respond with mild-moderate airway inflammation when challenged with moldy hay/stable dust situations, and over time it can impact your horse’s health and performance.
MAY 2023 WPRA NEWS 9
2023 WPRA PRO RODEO STANDINGS Unofficial Standings as of May 1, 2023 *2022 WPRA World Champion 1. Jordon Briggs Tolar, TX $87,895 2. Kassie Mowry Dublin, TX $65,265 3. Jackie Ganter Abilene, TX $50,368 4. Sissy Winn Corpus Christi, TX $48,564 *5. Hailey Kinsel Cotulla, TX $43,259 6. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi Lampasas, TX $43,036 7. Molly Otto Grand Forks, ND $38,622 8. Jimmie Smith-Tew McDade, TX $35,658 9. Wenda Johnson Pawhuska, OK $33,396 10. Kelly Allen Stephenville, TX $33,388 11. Dona Kay Rule Minco, OK $32,725 12. Margo Crowther North Fort Myers, FL $32,449 13. Shelley Morgan Eustace, TX $32,212 14. Jessica Routier Buffalo, SD $31,867 15. Lisa Lockhart Oelrichs, SD $31,680 16. Sara Winkelman Big Lake, MN $28,017 17. Ilyssa Riley Hico, TX $28,017 18. Taycie Matthews Wynne, AR $27,362 19. Summer Kosel Glenham, SD $27,362 20. Emily Beisel Weatherford, OK $26,005 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
RESISTOL ROOKIE STANDINGS 1. Kalli McCall Lufkin, TX
$13,967 $8,832 $7,935 $7,335 $6,052 $5,886 $5,839 $4,065 $3,210 $3,014 $2,770 $2,353 $1,968 $1,687 $1,664
Victoria Procter Acey Pinkston Rainey Skelton Sophie Nolen
Ledbetter, TX
Stephenville, TX
Llano, TX
Stephenville, TX
Kaycee Killingsworth
Thrall, TX
Jetti Lorenz
Madisonville, TX
Grace Gardiner Rachel Werkmen
Paradise, TX Wellsburg, IA Mankota, SK
10. Karli Cowie 11. Susie Parisee 12. Trinity Beauvais 13. Madison McFall 14. Rebecca St. Martin 15. Lauren Tremblay
Ocala, FL Afton, OK
Columbia, TN Houma, LA Hayward, WI
Where The Elite Compete SM
Hailey Kinsel, 2022 WPRA World Champion Barrel Racer, Photo by Kenneth Springer
Bayleigh Choate, 2022 WPRA Resistol Rookie of the Year, Photo by Kenneth Springer
10 WPRA NEWS MAY 2023
2023 WPRA PRO RODEO BREAKAWAY STANDINGS Unofficial Standings as of May 1, 2023 *2022 WPRA World Champion 1. Hali Williams Comanche, TX $91,914 2. Joey Williams Volborg, MT $44,731 3. Cheyanne Guillory Kingston, OK $40,532 4. Tiffany Schieck Floresville, TX $39,249 *5. Martha Angelone Stephenville, TX $38,679 6. Erin Johnson Fowler, CO $34,731 7. Sarah Angelone Lipan, TX $27,759 8. Danielle Lowman Gilbert, AZ $26,745 9. Samantha Fulton Miller, SD $25,830 10. JJ Hampton Stephenville, TX $22,734 11. Sawyer Gilbert Buffalo, SD $22,579 12. Josie Conner Iowa, LA $20,967 13. Kelsie Domer Dublin, TX $20,306 14. Jackie Crawford Stephenville, TX $19,868 15. Ashley Goforth Azle, TX $19,318 16. Jordan Jo Hollabaugh Canyon, TX $19,019 17. Shelby Boisjoli Stephenville, TX $18,668 18. Aspen Miller Santa Fe, TX $17,020 19. Madison Outhier Fulshear, TX $15,390 20. Taylor Hanchey Carmine, TX $15,345 RESISTOL ROOKIE STANDINGS 1. MaryBeth Beam Poetry, TX 2. Jade Kenney Canyon, TX 3. Bethany Stallons Emelle, AL 4. Erika Frost Randlett, UT 5. Kayley Kennemer Anderson, AL 6. Quincy Sullivan Peralta, NM 7. Braylee Shepherd Nephi, UT 8. Emily Gately Escondido, CA 9. Ashley Henderson Uriah, AL 10. Elisabeth Erickson-Noe La Junta, CO 11. Sami McGuire Hoven, SD 12. Kenzie Kelton Mayer, AZ 13. Josie Pereira 14. Kennedy Buckner Redmond, OR 15. Anna Dietrich Malvern, AR
$8,007 $5,286 $5,149 $4,967 $4,909 $4,805 $3,863 $3,318 $2,985 $2,119 $2,095 $1,926 $1,634 $1,284 $1,123
Arroyo Grande, CA
Where The Elite Compete SM Martha Angelone, 2022 WPRA World Champion Breakaway Roper, Photo by Jackie Jensen
Josie Conner, 2022 WPRA Resistol Rookie of the Year, Photo by Jackie Jensen
MAY 2023 WPRA NEWS 11
CONFIDENCE CHECK Thompson Takes Title in Logandale By Kristen M. White
H ope Thompson is ready for a return to the National Finals Breakaway Roping, and she hopes the work she’s been putting in the last couple of years will pay off this season. With a big victory in Logandale, Nevada, she seems to be on the up and up. Thompson won the two-head average at the Clark County Fair and Rodeo with a time of 5.7 seconds. She said she was glad to draw well and used a few “peeks” she got of early rounds to give her a feel for the setup, since breakaway roping was new to Logandale this year. “I was in the second to last set, so I got to watch some previous sets on the Cowboy Channel and get an idea of the setup and such,” she said. “Each set had a new group of calves, but I at least got a peek at kind of how it was set up. And I drew well, which always helps. “It was just an awesome rodeo and I want to thank Logandale for including us in a really cool rodeo. Adding breakaway and with equal money was really great.” Thompson was 3.0 seconds in the first round, which put her out of the money but definitely still in the hunt. Danielle Lowman
day to see if my time would hold or not,” Thompson said. “I felt like I would win something, but just didn’t know what.” The victory is a big one for Thompson, who was one spot shy of making the NFBR two years ago - something that has plagued her a bit since. She said she went into last year’s season “almost holding a grudge against myself, beating myself mentally,” and then found herself working on the wrong things. “I’ve been working on my mental game coming into this year, and I feel a lot more confident,” she said. “Last year, I was beating myself up and you can’t win when you’re doing that. I’m having a lot more fun this year! I get to enjoy what I do, clear my mind and have fun.” Of course, the end goal is to make the NFBR again, but Thompson said she’s also really enjoying the journey and the process. She’s been picking up checks at most rodeos, and the Logandale win boosts her bottom line, so she’s hopeful it serves as a big step in the right direction. “Last year, I was beating myself up and you can’t win when you’re doing that. I’m having a lot more fun this year! Hope Thompson won the two-head average at the Clark County Fair and Rodeo in Logandale, Nevada, with a time of 5.7 seconds. Photo by Amanda Dilworth
won that round in 2.4 seconds. Thompson didn’t know her calf so she just “scored what I thought the score was,” and her assessment was pretty solid. “I was a tick off the barrier, but she was a great calf. She stepped right and was a good speed and I got an average run on her,” said Thompson, who is the WPRA reigning world champion team roping header. “In the second round, when they redrew for the performance, I saw the calf I had and knew that it had been run in the first round, knew that it started a little slow but would be really good in the field and if I did my job I’d have a good chance.” In the second round, Thompson stopped the clock in 2.7 seconds, tying her for eighth with Martha Angelone and Shawnee Sherwood. But her two solid runs were enough to win her the rodeo, as she finished 0.2 seconds ahead of reserve champ Sarah Verhelst in 5.9 seconds. “After my second run, I had to wait it out for a while into the next
12 WPRA NEWS MAY 2023
WESTERN SWING Johnson Jumps into Top 10 with Logandale and Clovis Victories By Ann Bleiker
I t is not often that Dr. Wenda Johnson finds some flexibility in her schedule but that was the case this year during the month of April. A call from a friend and an invite to head west found her loading up to check out some new rodeos she had never competed at. The western loop would take her to Logandale, Nevada; Red Bluff, California and concluded in Clovis, California before heading back to Guymon, Oklahoma for a top circuit rodeo. “The summer run is always my favorite time of the year and the nice weather we encountered on this trip made me excited to embark on the summer run,” stated Johnson. While that summer run won’t start until June, Johnson has positioned herself inside the Top 15 as the bulk of rodeos during the regular season are on the horizon. Although she is not one to focus on the rankings, with her wins in Logandale and Clovis, she moved into ninth in the world standings with $33,396. “My focus is on the development and needs of my horses,” stated the Pawhuska, Oklahoma cowgirl. “If they feel good and enjoy their job, it will reflect in the standings.” Johnson captured the title at the Clark County Fair and Rodeo in Logandale aboard Steal Money
Wenda Johnson and Mac won the second round in a rodeo best time of 16.68 seconds at the Clovis (CA) Rodeo. That run helped propel them to the average title in a time of 50.75 seconds and the hometown rodeo of Jason Martin, one of the owners of Highpoint Performance Horses that owns Mac. Photo by Stuart Hagan
captured the win in Clovis to bookend her spring rodeo trip. She got the win in Clovis aboard Macgyver Moonflash, whom she calls Mac, who is also owned by Highpoint Performance Horses. “Charlie Cole and Jason Martin, the horse owners at Highpoint Performance Horses, were excited and supportive of doing this spring run but what made the win even more special in Clovis was that it is Jason’s hometown rodeo,” stated Johnson. “We were surrounded by family and friends cheering us on. “Mac really loved the crowd, and it showed in his running.” Johnson won the first round in a time of 16.88 seconds, but it was the second round where Mac really showed off his ability and grit stopping the clock in 16.68 seconds. As a result, the duo went into the final round with a comfortable lead which made the difference in the end. They captured the average title in a time of 50.75 ahead of Loni Kay Yates with a 51.32. Johnson would add $9,394 pushing her into the top 10 as of May 1. Johnson has had success at the Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo having finished second there a year ago, so a win there this year would be the cherry on top of her spring run. She and her two standout horses have also performed well during the summer having won the Reno Rodeo in 2021 and the World’s Oldest Rodeo in Prescott, Arizona in 2020. Johnson will not get too far ahead of herself in talking about a fourth NFR qualification but instead will take one rodeo at a time and do what is best for Mac and Mo and will let the rest take care of itself. After all, that has been a winning recipe for her the last three seasons with each season being better than the last.
Wenda Johnson and Mo captured the title in a time of 17.09 seconds at the Clark County Fair and Rodeo in Logandale, Nevada. This was the first time the duo had competed in this rodeo. Photo by Amanda Dilworth
“Mo” owned by Highpoint Performance Horses. She and Mo stopped the clock in 17.09 seconds, edging Sue Smith in a time of 17.13. She added $8,146 in the desert before heading to California. She would come up empty handed at the Red Bluff Roundup but
MAY 2023 WPRA NEWS 13
Mother’s Day YOUREE LEGACY LIVES ON IN FUTURE GENERATIONS By Ted Harbin F lorence and Dale Youree had a unique setup sixtysomething years ago. They drove a pickup that pulled an eight-foot camper with a two-horse trailer behind that. It was how they traveled around ProRodeo, and it’s how they raised their two children, Johnny and Renee, during the summer run that took them across the country together.
“We thought we were really in style,” said Youree, who just turned 90 in April. “It had two beds and had a bathroom; of course, that bathroom wasn’t very big. It was just an eight-foot camper, after all. You could go to the bathroom and take a shower at the same time.” She laughed at the memory and the thoughts of how times have changed. Ladies on the WPRA circuit ride in big dually pickups pulling a living-quarter trailer designed for on-the-road comfort and typically four horses. “Boy, we thought we were in tall cotton then,” she said. What she and her husband did more than a half-century ago is noteworthy. Florence Youree served as a Girls Rodeo Association/ WPRA officer for 20 years, first as a director then as president. She resigned from that post to take the paid secretary’s job. That $150 month meant something to the Yourees, who lived on a ranch outside the tiny community of Addington in southern Oklahoma. Florence Youree still lives on that piece of property, about 2,000 acres. In addition to the pasturelands are four other homes that dot the acreage for her daughter, Renee Youree Ward, with her husband, James, and three granddaughters and their families: Janae Ward Massey, Cassie Ward Ambrose and Kylie Ward Weast. All are part of the family business, and all will likely spend their Mother’s Day together, honoring their heritage while also enjoying their own broods. They are barrel racing bluebloods, and Nan has forged the legend that guided her to an induction into the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame and Museum, National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum’s Cowboy Hall of Fame and the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. She was one of the guiding forces for rodeo women of her generation, qualifying for the first barrel racing National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in Clayton, New Mexico, in 1959, and following that with trips the next three years. When the National Finals Rodeo moved to Oklahoma City in the mid-1960s, Youree made a move that changed the face of barrel racing today, meeting with Stanley Draper, then the manager of the Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce, and Clem McSpadden, who was the general manager of the NFR. In 1967, barrel racing made its NFR debut with all the other PRCA events, and it’s been a major attraction at the finale each year since. “I loved what I did,” Youree said. “It was a challenge to me to get bigger and better barrel races, and I thoroughly enjoyed my job with the WPRA. I loved meeting people, and I think that was one of my greatest experiences, the people and the associations I made with people all over the country.” She was influential … across the country, across rodeo and across her family. She’s a big reason why three generations of Yourees have
Part of the Youree clan was on hand when the matriarch Florence Youree (second from left) was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame as a WPRA Notable. Her daughter, Renee Ward (left) along with Renee’s twin daughters (Cassie and Kylie) were there to celebrate her induction. Photo by Kenneth Springer
played on the biggest stages of rodeo with her leading the way with six NFR qualifications. Renee Ward competed in 1985, the first year the championship played in Las Vegas, and two of her three daughters followed suit: Janae Ward Massey did it in 2001-03, winning the gold Janae Ward Massey (left) qualified for her first NFR in 2001 following in her grandmother, Florence Youree and mother, Renee Ward’s footsteps. She would qualify again in 2002 and took home the family’s first gold buckle in the barrel racing in 2003. Her sister Kylie Ward Weast (right) qualified for her first NFR in 2018. Photo courtesy Ward family
14 WPRA NEWS MAY 2023
order to make it to the NFR.” That’s nothing new to the family. When Massey was making the finals, the twins stayed at home. In fact, they’d never been to the NFR together until Weast earned her trip five seasons ago; they were busy with school, basketball practices and basketball games. “I didn’t think it was a big deal,” Ambrose said. “It’s Janae; I’ve always looked up to her. It was a pretty big deal, but Mom had to tell us we weren’t allowed to go to Vegas. We couldn’t let our team down.” Fifteen years later, she was part of the team as Weast followed the family tree to Sin City. “It was pretty stinking cool to have a twin sister that can accomplish that,” said Ambrose, who is a minute older. “My little family got to be part of it and support her. Kylie and I have obviously been best friends since we were in the womb. I want nothing but the best for her, and she wants nothing but the best for me. To see her excel like that was amazing, and we got to be right there
Florence Youree (horseback middle) celebrated her 90th birthday with her daughter, granddaughters and grandkids at the family ranch in Addington, Oklahoma.
with her.” Weast gives all the credit for her NFR qualification to her twin – “If it wasn’t for Cassie, I wouldn’t have made the NFR; she kept my colts going so I could still have a job when I got home.” – and understands how special it is to be involved in this family business. “It was the best possible childhood anyone could ask for,” Weast said. “With Cassie, I had a built-in best friend, and Janae was the best big sister ever. I had great parents and grandparents; no matter what we did, they supported us. “They put in a lot of effort to let us succeed.” That’s an ongoing theme, one that dates back more than half a century. Massey and her husband, Ty, have a 14-year-old daughter, Chazli, that is already involved in the family business, and she’s pretty good at it. It will likely be the case for Weast’s daughter, Marlie, should the 3-year-old choose that route when the time comes. “Chazli has a horse that is a full brother to the one that Kylie made the finals on, and Chazli is training it herself,” Youree said. “She loves it.” Chazli also has ridden Hell on the Red, the sorrel mare that carried her aunt to the NFR five seasons ago. Reddy was sired by JL Dash Ta Heaven, which guided Benette Barrington-Little to the 2013 championship; the stud is out of Dynas Plain Special, a speedy red racer that Massey called DeeDee and jockeyed to rodeo’s gold in 2003. It’s all in the family. Success takes work, but each member of the Youree clan is driven by passion, one that has developed through the generations, one that is packaged by the love they share with one another. Ward and her daughters were taught to keep God first in their lives, a ringing endorsement of faith by their mother and grandmother. “My Nanny rode the other day,” Massey said. “She had been wanting to ride with her great-grandkids. Every great-grandkid was on a horse, and we led the ones that needed to be led, and Nanny got to be out there with them. It was awesome.” There’s something about a horse that’s good for the soul, and nobody knows that better than a 90-year-old cowgirl and living legend.
buckle in her final trip, and Kylie Weast made her appearance in 2018. “The best lessons I got in life was to have a good work ethic,” Ward said. “My daddy worked, and he meant for everybody around him to work. My husband, James, is a workaholic. His family was the same way. They’re all workers.” So are their children. Massey was the first to step onto the stage, earning championship qualifications through smaller organizations before taking her game to the WPRA. She’s six years older than the twins, Cassie and Kylie, but they all understand the need to work. “Cassie’s our backbone,” Ward said. “She keeps things moving. She just picks up the slack whenever somebody leaves. She’s the only one of us that’s never been to the NFR, but she is just as deserving. The year Kylie made the NFR, Cassie worked all of Kylie’s horses while she was on the road. You have to have someone like that in Kylie Weast, Janae Massey and Cassie Ambrose are the proud granddaughters of Florence Youree who is keeping the family legacy alive and passing the love of horses on to their kids. Photo courtesy Ward family
MAY 2023 WPRA NEWS 15
2023 PRCA/WPRA CIRCUIT STANDINGS BARREL RACING Unofficial as of May 1, 2023
BADLANDS 1.
2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Jennifer Romriell
$600 $510 $330 $240
3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Shali Lord Kelly Yates
$2,683 $1,403
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Kelly Allen
$20,231 $18,687 $15,374 $13,475 $13,425 $13,311 $10,367 $9,740 $9,655 $8,831 $8,029 $7,947 $7,462 $6,549 $9,536 $5,664 $3,597 $2,556 $1,876 $1,548 $1,318 $1,150 $1,098 $1,075 $1,008
Bobbi Olson Nikki Hansen Taylor Hanson
$4,191 $3,397 $3,275 $3,027 $2,505 $2,420 $2,069 $1,608 $1,519 $1,461 $1,211 $1,117 $1,088
Kerri Frazier
Jimmie Smith-Tew Lindsay Sears Hailey Kinsel Stephanie Fryar Jackie Ganter
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Bobbie Jo Barber Theresa Stannard Nicole Davidson
Taryn Boxleitner Kelcey McNamee
$614 $439 $316 $263 $263 $219
Ellie Bard
$70 $70 $70
Mejrusa Rustemovic (R) Kachena Lesmeister
Cindy Baltezore Jessica Routier
Joanna Reid Kristine Roy
Jenna Pruitt
Keyla Costa Ilyssa Riley
Hallie Fulton
10. Loralee Ward 11. Alex Odle (R) 12. Mackenzie Scott
GREAT LAKES 1.
Cydney Peterson Alyssa Gabrielson
$88 $76
10. Tiany Schuster 11. Janet Staton 12. Natalie Bland 13. Jordon Briggs 14. Shelley Morgan 15. LaTricia Duke
Jillian Zaun
$1,859 $1,711 $1,664 $1,619 $1,664 $1,231 $1,174
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Lindsay Leverington Lauren Tremblay (R) Stephanie McCready
10. Heidi Gunderson
PRAIRIE 1.
11. Lori Nelson 12. Molly Otto 13. Lexi Thyberg 14. Lakken Bice 15. Kristi Steffes
Paige Jones
$2,344 $2,256 $2,151 $1,841 $1,777 $1,641 $1,196 $1,151 $1,025
Tasia Behnke (R)
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Lindsey Muggli Emma Charleston
Austyn Tobey Caitlyn Clair Jesse Alsup Josie Cole (R)
$973 $940
TURQUOISE 1.
Ryan Ivy
$775 $726 $659 $619 $614 $579 $559 $513
Michelle Darling Suzanne Brooks Dona Kay Rule Taylor Johnson Chelsea A Moore
Casey Mathis Tara Seaton
CALIFORNIA 1.
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Payton Schoeppach
$14,508 $11,144 $10,173 $3,993 $2,695 $2,657 $2,411 $2,402 $2,203 $2,029 $1,856 $1,804 $1,661 $1,562 $1,539 $4,758 $3,450 $2,379 $1,665 $1,665 $1,071
10. Ronda Casey 11. Kricket Gintner 12. Sissy Warren 13. Jamie Lenzner 14. Emma Jordan (R) 15. Aubrey Sprouse
Sabrina Ketcham Sarah Kieckhefer Doskie Edwards Kortni McConnell Madison Bean Mariah Morgan
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Kathy Petska Hayle Gibson Shelby Bates Tonia Forsberg Sheena Robbins
10. Kallie Gates 11. Emily Beisel 12. Rylie Shields
$821 $817 $797 $797 $643 $466
Vicky Cook Nellie Miller
Chelsie Shoop
Jana Bean
MAPLE LEAF 1.
14. Tracie Couch 15. Kimmie Wall SOUTHEASTERN 1.
10. Bailee Switzer 11. Carly Longo (R) 12. Karsen Jackson (R) 13. Kailee Murdock 14. Shannon Griffin 15. Nicole Demers
Rusty Rae Woodward
$2,504 $2,297 $2,143 $2,013 $1,630 $1,500
Shelley Holman
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Lakota Bird
10. Cathey Vallerga 11. Alanna Bobsin
$957 $910 $854 $767
Bradi Whiteside Taylor Manning Melissa Thiessen Lynette Brodoway Diane Skocdopole Shely Spielman
Margo Crowther
$16,879 $15,804 $12,992 $11,461 $10,421 $10,013 $8,642 $6,884 $6,027 $5,402 $4,356 $3,471 $3,252 $3,156 $3,077
12. Ali Anton
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Nicole Love Taylor Carver Ashley Parks Erin Wetzel
13. Madison Camozzi 14. Sherri Jones 15. Deeana Horner
WILDERNESS 1.
$767 $536 $375 $107
Sue Smith
$7,063 $2,000 $1,883 $1,428 $1,389 $1,222
COLUMBIA RIVER 1.
Karli Cowie (R)
Chloe Gray
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Macee McAllister
Rachelle Riggers Kacey Gartner
10. Rene LeClerq
Cindy Patrick
Kailey Mitton Sara Cheeney
2. 3. 4. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Kristin Hanchey Dallas Sawczak
MONTANA 1.
Sharon Gow Teri Bangart
Jennifer Kalafatic
Hailey Garrison Cierra Erickson Abigail Knight Tisha Larsen
$3,021 $1,737
10. Sarah Rose Waguespack
Kellie Collier Stacy Glause
2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Jessica Dawn Lewis
11. Sally Young
$857 $589 $571 $265
$755 $642 $529 $250
Megan McLeod-Sprague
12. Bobbie Jo Alcazar
Marquel Moser (R)
Cheyenne Allan Kaycie Kayser
$595 $476 $238
13. Alex Dollar
Jessica Miller
Tia Murphy Ashley Day
14. Wendy Culberson 15. Angie Hammock
10. Leslie Schur
Anne Meek
MOUNTAIN STATES 1.
FIRST FRONTIER 1.
TEXAS 1.
Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi
$10,925 $3,997
Incarnata Tesiero
$690
Kassie Mowry
$25,282
2.
Kim Schulze
16 WPRA NEWS MAY 2023
BUS INESS
DIRECTORS & SPOKESWOMEN
PRESIDENT Jimmie Munroe 254-722-5128 jmunroe@wpra.com VICE PRESIDENT Heidi Schmidt Belfield, ND (701) 928-0260 Heidi.schmidt@wpra.com BADLANDS Circuit Director
COLUMBIA RIVER Circuit Director Rainy Robinson Caldwell, ID 208-870-5256 rainy.robinson@wpra.com Spokeswomen Lexi Burgess Megan Sprague Abby Sutfin
MONTANA Circuit Director Dillon McPherson
Phoenix, AZ 602-615-7663 Jenna@wpra.com Spokeswomen Barb Johnson Toni Karr Sarah Kieckhefer Stacey Padilla Tibba Smith Carly Todd
Spokeswomen
Event Directors Team Roping TBD Tie-down roping Kari Nixon Spokeswomen Badlands Brandi White California Allie Hoskins Liz Hirdes Columbia River Lynn Rodriguez Shayla Currin First Frontier Emily Fabian Great Lakes Danni Clover Montana Jacey Fortier Mountain States Erin Johnson Prairie Christi Braudrick Southeastern Lindsey Pender Texas Jordan Hollabaugh Turquoise Lynn Smith Wilderness Jessica Brinkerhoff
Jeanne Anderson Emily Beisel Jamie Chaffin Emma Charleston Michelle Darling Ari Anna Flynn Korrina Hughes Tracy Nowlin Beau Peterson Tana Poppino SOUTHEASTERN Circuit Director Bricklee Miller Starkville, MS 662-418-3963 bricklee@wpra.com Spokeswomen Brandi Geiger TEXAS
Wolf Point, MT 406-650-8458 Dillon.McPherson@wpra. com Spokeswomen Cierra Erickson Jill Ferdina
Lindsay Kruse Darae Larson Laura McPherson Valee Miller Katie Rasmussen Maria Taylor MOUNTAIN STATES
FIRST FRONTIER Lead Spokesperson Eileen Lang-Kramme
WILDERNESS Circuit Director
Nicole Bice Killdeer, ND 605-553-4546 Nicole@wpra.com Spokeswomen
Julie Herman Bluffdale, UT 801-548-4797 Julie.Herman@wpra.com Spokeswomen Meka Farr Kali Jo Parker Amberley Snyder Melissa Taylor Terri Wood Gates ROPING DIVISION Director - R1 Christi Braudrick Caddo, OK 918-207-9757 Christi@wpra.com Director - R2 Lynn Smith Elfrida, AZ 520-678-6702
Pilesgrove, NJ 856-364-7130 Eileen.lang.kramme@wpra. com Spokeswomen
Lakken Bice Hallie Fulton Nikki Hansen Cally Kindred Lisa Lockhart Jessica Routier
Circuit Director Carla Johnson Laramie, WY 307-761-1800 Carla.Beckett@wpra.com Spokeswomen Shali Lord Melanie Luark Wendy McKee Kelcey McNamee Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi Kim Schulze Mackenzie Scott Shelly Risner Vossler PRAIRIE
Jody Stockton Dawn Powell Beth Borowy Kris Roy Kristin Weber
Circuit Director Lois Ferguson West, TX (254) 744-2878 Lois.Ferguson@wpra.com Spokeswomen Stephanie Fryar
CALIFORNIA Circuit Director Sheena Robbins Fresno, CA 559-940-2638 Sheena@wpra.com Spokeswomen Vicki Cook
GREAT LAKES Circuit Director Melora Potter Marion, KY 270-704-0865 Melora@wpra.com Spokeswomen Sandi Brandli Ronda Casey Cassy Hooks Lindsay Leverington
Stevi Hillman Kelly Kaminski Shelley Morgan Kylee Scribner Jimmie Smith Tew Kelly Tovar Martha Wright TURQUOISE Circuit Director Jenna Duhon
Kris Gadbois Katie Pascoe Kathy Petska Christina Porter
Circuit Director Cindy Gillespie Ransom, KS 785-731-5306 Cindy@wpra.com
Lynn@wpra.com Assistant Directors Jennifer Casey Lari Dee Guy
Sissy Warren Conny Winkers
PROCOM TURNOUT/RELEASE DEADLINES Procedure: A contestant wishing to make a notified turn out or release must notify PROCOM no later than three hours prior to the performance/slack of which she is turning out, unless an earlier deadline applies (see follow- ing). Morning Slack: A contestant desiring to make a notified turn out or release for a morning section of slack must so notify PROCOM no later than the turn out deadline of the previous evening’s performance or 5 p.m. (Colo- rado Mountain Time) of the day prior to such section of slack if there is no performance the previous evening. It is important to remember that all times are based on Mountain Standard Time. The only official turnout or release is through PROCOM. Notifying the rodeo secretary is not official. PROCOM HOURS Entries and Call Back
DEADLINE FOR PAYING ENTRY FEES: 10.5.4 Contestants competing at the rodeo must pay entry fees to the rodeo secretary at the rodeo or entry fees must be received in the WPRA office by 3:00 PM Mountain time, Tuesday following the end of the rodeo. 10.5.4.1. Contestants turning out of a rodeo must have entry fees paid in the WPRA office by 3:00 PM Mountain time, Tuesday following the end of the rodeo.
CANADIAN INFORMATION C.P.R.A. Office (403)250-7440 Canadian Rodeo Entry System (800)661-8523 (403)250-7666 CRES Administration (403)250-7299 To enter CPRA rodeos, a current October 2014CPRA membership is required.
WPRA CREDIT CARD POLICY The WPRA will accept Visa/Mastercard/Discover/ Amex for the following: Dues • Fines • Entry Fees There will be a $10 charge on each transaction.
Mon. - Fri. 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. MT Weekends 8:30 a.m. until last deadline ProCom numbers: (800)234-PRCA (7722) ProCom Local & Trades Line: (719)548-4800 Online ProCom Entry – through WPRA Portal portal.wpra.com
HEADQUARTERS 431 S. CASCADE
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. 80903 (719) 447-4627 • FAX: (719) 447-4631 WWW.WPRA.COM BUSINESS HOURS: MON. - FRI. 8:30 A.M. - 5 P.M.
MAY 2023 WPRA NEWS 17
WINNER’S CIRCLE Here is a brief look at some of the winner’s or highest placing WPRA member from the rodeos over the past month. Congratulations to all the winners and a big thank you to all the rodeo committees and volunteers that provide this opportunity to the members.
DANIELLE LOWMAN | Redmond, OR | Photo by Kent Soule
DONA KAY RULE | Levelland, TX | Photo by Kay Miller
JORDI EDENS | Huntsville, TX | Photo by James Phifer
LISA LOCKHART | Levelland, TX | David Seymore
RACHELLE RIGGERS | Redmond, OR | Photo by Kent Soule
TIFFANY SCHIECK | REDMOND, OR | Photo by Kent Soule
18 WPRA NEWS MAY 2023
SISSY WINN | Huntsville, TX | Photo by James Phifer
TILLAR KING | Athens, TX | Photo by Joe Duty
continued on page 21
MAY 2023 WPRA NEWS 19
WILL TO WIN Mowry Top Money Earner in San Angelo By Ted Harbin T here’s a lot going on around Kassie Mowry’s place near Dublin, Texas. She’s a barrel horse trainer who has a variety of things going on with her colts, her breeding mares, rodeos and futurities, but she always seems to find her way to the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo.
There are reasons behind her decision: It’s close to the house, just about two hours away; every barrel racer who enters can make at least one run; and there’s a big purse in which to run at. In fact, no cowboy nor cowgirl competing at San Angelo earned more money than Mowry, a three-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier who now stands a great chance to return to Las Vegas in December. She placed in all three go-rounds to win the aggregate title with a cumulative time of 43.86 seconds, pocketing $25,283. It was a whale of a payday and gave her some much-needed cash as she takes a break from ProRodeo to focus on the colts at home.
“I love this rodeo, and I really want to thank this committee for dragging and (also) raking after every barrel racer,” said Mowry, who made trips to the NFR in 2005, 2017 and this past December. “It just makes such a difference for us to have a clean slate to work with. It makes it a horserace, and we all love to be on equal terms.” The first round of barrel racing took place in March at First
Kassie Mowry rounded the cloverleaf pattern in 14.04 seconds to win the second round at the San Angelo Rodeo aboard CP He Will Be Epic that she simply calls Will. Photo by Ric Andersen
Mowry was in the final performance before the championship round, and she and her mount, CP He Will Be Epic, rounded the pattern in 14.04 seconds to win the second round. Momentum was rolling in her favor, as was her partner, a 17-hand gray gelding she calls Will by Epic Leader and out of Percilla. “I do have a lot of confidence in my horse,” she said. “I feel like if he leaves the barrels up, he usually clocks really good. I just have to be good in my timing.” She was, and Will did his job. They stopped the clock in 14.00 seconds, the fastest run of the rodeo, to finish second in the championship round. The fastest run of the rodeo? That was by two- time world champion Lindsay Sears, now living in Lipan, Texas, who won the final round in a quick 13.88-second run. She has returned to the scene in a big-time manner; the last time she won ProRodeo’s gold was 12 seasons ago. “I’m just so proud of my horse,” Mowry said. “He worked really consistent these three runs and finished it with a really tough run. I couldn’t be more ecstatic.” Her time in west Texas was likely the last ProRodeo in which she will compete for a couple months. Because of her futurity work and training schedule, she’ll need several weeks to get much needed things done at home. She plans to return to rodeo action in time for the Fourth of July run. The last time Mowry won San Angelo was in 2017, when the event took place in February. It served as a qualifier for RodeoHouston, which Mowry then won and punched her ticket to Las Vegas for the second time. Now that it’s changed to an April rodeo, San Angelo offers a large payout and the final indoor rodeo of the winter-spring run. It’s the perfect way for Mowry to end a solid start to her season, that also included a big win in San Antonio, and prepare herself for the larger outdoor pens to come.
Community Credit Union Spur Arena, which offers a bigger pattern. Jimmie Smith-Tew of McDade, Texas, won the round in 15.80, while Mowry and Timber Allenbrand split second place just two-hundredths of a second behind. The ladies that advanced through the progressive to the second go-round then competed during the 10 preliminary performances at Foster Communications Coliseum. Kassie Mowry placed in all three go-rounds to win the aggregate title with a cumulative time of 43.86 seconds, pocketing $25,283. It was a whale of a payday and gave her some much-needed cash as she takes a break from ProRodeo to focus on her futurity colts at home. Photo by Ric Andersen
20 WPRA NEWS MAY 2023
2023 PRCA/WPRA CIRCUIT STANDINGS BREAKAWAY ROPING Unofficial as of May 1, 2023 BADLANDS 1. Tanegai Zilverberg $2,889 2. Misti Brown $1,618 3. Rickie Engesser $1,438 4. Brenda White $1,135 5. Taylor Engesser $931 6. Brandy Schaack $677 7. Shannah Peterson $534 8. Randa Clabaugh $512 9. Codi Sebastian $423 10. Katie Dent $368 11. Laine Klasinski $335 12. Danielle Wray $332 13. Amber Carson $78 14. Sadie Dale $67 CALIFORNIA 1. Hannah Hundsdorfer $6,957 2. Kaitlyn Andersen $3,514 3. Gianna O’Day $1,984 4. Josie Pereira $1,634 5. Jessie Jones $1,579 6. Fallon Ruffoni $1,516 7. Kate Branco $826 8. Liz Hirdes $632 9. Rylee George $470 Carly Rudd $470 11. Haleigh Grant $354 12. Emily Gately $329 13. Bailey Bidwell $263 COLUMBIA RIVER 1. Kennedy Buckner $1,284 Shelby Logan $1,284 3 Millie Greenwood $656 4. Janey Nicholson $182 Bailey Patterson $182 FIRST FRONTIER 1. Tara Gale $744 2. Hannah Goerlach $512 Kelly Jo Stein $512 4. Krystle Zinkevich $155 GREAT LAKES 1. Katie Bell $934 Brittany Rose $934 3. Jesse Alsup $699 4. Danni Clover $475 5. Lindsey Kraus $437 MAPLE LEAF 1. Brooke Pomeranz $1,399 2. Lakota Bird $979 3. Bradi Whiteside $34 MONTANA 1. Sarah Verhelst $744 2. Anna Callaway $279 3. Taylor Moeykens $78 MOUNTAIN STATES No Standings At This Time PRAIRIE 1. Taylor Munsell $3,315 2. Beau Peterson $2,838 3. Mikayla McCoy $1,475 4. Christi Braudrick $1,114 5. Tia Wallace $929 6. Emma Charleston $883 7. Kate Thompson $525 8. Rebekah Davis $420 9. Paige Wiseman $250 10. Addie Weil $229 11. KeAnn Hayes $158 SOUTHEASTERN 1. Bethany Stallons $4,080 2. Laramie Johnson $3,975 3. Makayla Mack $3,686 4. Ashley Henderson $2,985 5. Josey Murphy $2,603 6. Kayley Kennemer $2,340 7. Heather McLaughlin $1,584 8. Traci Ashton $1,358 9. Lacey Nail $1,339 10. Anna Dietrich $1,123 11. Della Bird $1,110 12. Taylor Smith $1,081 13. Addison Roberts $1,043 14. Tabitha Owens $932 15. Brooke Ladner $851 TEXAS 1. Hali Williams $9,584 2. Josie Conner $7,883 3. Aspen Miller $7,661 4. Brandy Gilbert $7,314 5. Bradi Good $7,286 6. Taylor Hanchey $6,632 7. Loni Kay Yates $6,046 8. MaryBeth Beam $5,819 9. Taylor Lawson $5,170 10. Lari Dee Guy $5,020 11. Jordan Jo Hollabaugh $4,766 12. Alex Loiselle $4,597 13. Martha Angelone $4,459 14. Tiffany Schieck $4,237 15. Tacy Webb $4,017 TURQUOISE 1. Hailey Schafer $2,368 2. Leigh Ann Scribner $2,237 3. Danielle Lowman $2,163 4. Justine Doka $2,140 5. Kenzie Kelton $1,926 6. Faith Holyan $1,681 7. Nicole Baggarley $1,358 8. Bailey Bates $1,341 9. McKenzie Frizzell $1,330 10. Jill Tanner $1,124 11. Kassidy Dennison $1,119 12. Lynn Smith $1,105 13. Tayle Brink $990 14. Quincy Sullivan $862 15. Jessie Swartwood $805 Macy Young $805 WILDERNESS 1. Erika Frost $2,171 2. Megan Burbidge $931 3. Dally Mendenhall $926 4. Delaney Kunau $535 5. Makayla Boisjoli $298 6. McKinley Drake $103
WINNER’S CIRCLE continued from page 19
HAYLE GIBSON | Oakdale, CA | Photo by Stuart Hagen
KEYLA COSTA | Lufkin, TX | Photo by James Phifer
MAY 2023 WPRA NEWS 21
BUILDING BLOCKS Billingsley Wins Oakdale Rodeo, Biggest Win of Her Career By Allie Bohus W PRA member Kaylee Billingsley of Phoenix, Arizona, has followed in the footsteps of her family’s rodeo legacy.
Her mother, Leigh Ann (Henson) Billingsley is a WPRA Gold Card Holder and won the 2006 WPRA world titles in the all-around and breakaway roping. Her father, Eric Billingsley, competed at the collegiate level in saddle bronc riding and now team ropes in the PRCA. Her grandfather, Chuck Henson fought bulls at the NFR from 1967-1971 and is in the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. Billingsley’s great grandmother Margie (Henson) Greenough and great-aunt, Alice (Greenough) Orr, rode bucking horses in the wild west shows. Kaylee started riding horses, ‘in the womb’ and has been horseback ever since. She entered her first junior rodeo at age 5 and
Kaylee Billingsley’s stopped the clock in 2.6 seconds to win the Oakdale (CA) Saddle Hores Club rodeo. She earned $2,632 marking her biggest ProRodeo win to date. Photo by Stuart Hagan
competed throughout the ranks of junior rodeo, junior high rodeo (a two-time Finals qualifier), high school rodeo (at two-time Finals qualifier), collegiate rodeo and amateur rodeo before joining the WPRA as a junior member in 2008. The all-around cowgirl has competed in all the events over the years: breakaway roping, barrel racing, goat tying, pole bending, team roping. She has even picked up at college rodeo practices. To round out her family’s involvement in the sport, Billingsley’s uncle and aunt (Jerry and Nancy Jane Dorenkamp) own Salt River Rodeo Company based out of Wilcox, Arizona, and she has flanked bucking horses and bulls for them at PRCA rodeos. Her diverse rodeo background has given her a lot of experience at both ends of the arena. Her favorite event is breakaway roping. “I like the speed; I like being able to not have to think about something, just use my muscle memory and everything connects… I like the horsemanship aspect too… You got to have a good horse under you. You can rope the best but if you don’t have a good horse under you, you’re not going to be a winner (in all aspects of rodeo actually),” she said. Strong horsepower certainly worked in Billingsley’s favor when she roped her calf at the Oakdale (CA) Saddle Club Rodeo. Billingsley had not competed there previously, so she didn’t have any expectations. She was 15th out and got to see a handful of girls out before her run. “I was anticipating getting my start and going… My calf was a medium plus calf and I utilized him. I was kind of in shock right after I ran, I was like ‘wow, I was just a 2.6. All the girls ahead of me were
roping 4’s,” she said proudly. Her 2.6 second run won the rodeo, but Kendal Pierson and Tiffany Schieck were hot on her heels turning in 2.7 and 2.8 second runs respectively and rounding out the top three. Billingsley’s win at Oakdale earned her $2,632 and is her biggest ProRodeo win to date. “I went to a Joe Beaver clinic the beginning of this year and he said, ‘all these girls going down the road will win at a handful of rodeos, but if you place at all of them, you’re going to win at the end of the year.’ That has been my goal, take your first smart shot and let the chips fall where they may,” she said. “I had a good calf and took my first good shot, and it worked out.” Billingsley’s plans for the rest of the 2023 season include entering a handful of the larger rodeos like Cheyenne, Reno and Pendleton (‘bucket list’ rodeos), but primarily circuit rodeoing and trying to dominate there. “I believe in taking steps [to be successful]. You have to be successful at your high school rodeos, then at your college level, then the amateur then at the pros,” noted Billingsley. “I tried to skip a step when I got out of college and wasn’t very profitable. “I think it was the first or second year that a lot of the pro rodeos had breakaway. I went out and rodeoed all summer by myself. I think I won $100, and I think I entered 40 rodeos that year. I needed to go back home and hit the amateur circuit. I did that and did well and that gave me the confidence to get back to the pros.” She is hoping the big check at Oakdale is the beginning of many more for her in 2023.
22 WPRA NEWS MAY 2023
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