28th Annual Josey Ranch Reunion Roundup Concludes Competition | New

“Josey Reunion” is a 4D (or divisional) barrel race. The top 20 from each division from Game 1 on Friday and Game 2 on Saturday return to the Shootout Championship on Sunday for a chance to win the title.

The action started Thursday night with the American Hat Company 3D Pole Bending competition with 75 title contenders. Aspen Grant of Buna, on PC Frosted Freedom, won the league title with a 20.452, Hannah Campbell of Harlingen, aboard Our Number One Pick, won 2nd D with 21.479, and Bradynn Rothwell of Fordyce, AR on IM Bully Doc dominated the 3rd D on with a 22.581.

The Josey Reunion Barrel Race had 431 participants from 16 states vying for the title of champion, with the champion winning a Big Tex trailer. Each division winner received a personalized Shea Michelle belt buckle, Circle Y saddle, American hat and 500 pounds of Purina feed. Other sponsor prizes were MVP, 5 Star Saddle Pad, Draw It Out, Flair Strips and many more.

The format of the qualifying rounds is to slide all five draws, one big pack every 50, and reverse the order for the second round. “This format is not designed to run more than 50 hours every hour,” said announcer Josey Randy Adams of Cookeville, TN, “it is designed to give each participant an equal opportunity on the field instead. to be a simple raffle contest “.

The Championship Barrel Races at Josey Ranch were the first to drag on with less than 10 draws and the first place to use more than one tractor.

As the sun rose each morning over the pine forests of east Texas, the Josey reunion started the day as always, flying the star-spangled banner and an opening prayer followed by the national anthem. The colors were presented by Amanda Schenck, a member of the Six White Horses exercise team at Harding Simmons University in Abilene.

Circle Y Saddlery’s first round action was intense and saw former Reunion Champion Pete Owen of Maysville, Okla. take the first two qualifying places, the first was on VC Go Go Fling with a time of 16.021, the best time of the weekend, 2nd the 1st D was Pete Owen on Margarita Red Rita with a time of 16.215. Another former champion Blaze Bercegeay from Summit, MS, won the 2nd D in a time of 16.580 on BR The Tonka Taxi. At the top of the 3rd D was Jodie Russell of Wynnsboro, La. On Blue with 17.029, and the 4th D winner for the 1st start was Lacy Childress of Robertsdale, Alabama, aboard the LS Pies Carona with a time of 18.026.

The second day of qualifying was sponsored by Priefert Rodeo and Ranch Equipment and started with “America, Why I Love Her” by John Wayne and the flag was presented by Miss Rodeo Texas Bobbi Loran from Scotland, TX. This was followed by the opening prayer and our national hymn.

When the dust settled, Brynn Hinton of Waxahachie, on Legs Gone Wild, stopped the clock at 16.148 for first place. The 2nd D winner was Katelyn Kendrick of Minden, LA, on GCH Strickofsunlight at 16.704; The winner of the 3rd D was Stephanie Vondra of Lovelady, aboard Bugs Won More Time, with a 17.152, and at the top of the 4th was Holly Hicks of Woodville, on Dash N Sparkle, with a time of 18.174.

Steve Tucker, President of Circle Y Saddlery, presented Martha Josey with an original commissioned painting of Martha doing a contest. Upholstered in hand-crafted leather and a medallion, to commemorate Martha’s induction into the Professional Rodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs, CO.

Saturday ended with a Draw It Out sponsored pony barrel race, followed by a new event – Rope and Run. Rope and Run is a team event with one person roping a dummy calf from the training horse Priefert, then the other partner performing a condensed barrel pattern. Time begins when the rope access technician nods and stops when the runner crosses the finish line. Although it was not a rodeo, it was fun for the competitors and the spectators.

Championship Sunday always begins with a church service in the main arena followed by the awarding of scholarships. This year the scholarships were in honor of Sandy Smith awarded to Kayla Jung, Thomas Mitchell awarded to Jaden Thomas and Bobby Arthur awarded to Ashton Padon. There was also the presentation of the horse Sonny Bit O ‘Both with the prize of the biggest heart. This year’s recipient was DC Dualin Eagles “Cujo” owned and ridden by Faith Gilbreath.

For the Purina-sponsored Sunday Championship Shootout, qualifying for the previous two days ranges from slowest to fastest qualifying time. In this format, to ensure that each competitor has the best possible pitch, the arena team drags every two draw positions. The short go is a “clean slate” barrel race with no time carried over from the qualifying laps.

145 qualifiers from 12 different states competed with the title at stake in the Purina Short Go Shootout. Reserve champion from last year’s meeting, Sheryl Gamboa of Waskom, on Starrin Baby Rose, took the lead with 38 contestants remaining and held on to win the title. The 2nd D champion was Bryana Woodmansee of Preston Park, PA with a time of 16.669 aboard AH Miss Cowgirl. The 3rd D was won by Catherine Medlock on Eye N Easy. The cowgirl from El Dorado, AR stopped the clock at 17.183 for the win. The 4th D title went to Bluegrass State as Rilee Leasor of Rineyville, KY riding Cesico stopped the clock in 18.276.

“RE and I always try to follow our students and their achievements both in and out of the arena.” Martha Josey said. “Once you are a ‘Josey Kid’ you are always one of us.”

Plans are underway for the 29th Josey Ranch Reunion Gathering, as the event will return to traditional time in Spring 2022.