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Monday, 18 January 2010 01:41 |
The International Professional Rodeo Association's finals, the International Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City is the marquee event for over 3,000 members. Across their circuit system of dividing their almost 150 rodeos into 4 circuits, their Southern Circuit is the largest. However, the North-East Circuit where our Canadian Contenders reside is the second largest, and also home to the largest outdoor rodeo in the IPRA, Ste. Tite, Quebec. At the Gold Buckle Gala on Sunday night, it was announced that aside from Oklahoma, Canada was the 2nd largest contingent (Quebec-Ontario) at IFR 40 with a record 20 positions held by Canadian Qualifiers.
IFR 40 boasted a purse of $250,000 and Canada was able to accumulate over $24,000 of that, along with 5 Championship Buckles. The final round of IFR 40 had lots of opportunities and a few of the Canuck Contenders realized their Gold Buckle conquests, and as with every Rodeo, there were some Championship Dreams dashed. All in All, though, 12 of the 18 Canadians earned a trip to the proverbial Paywindow at IFR 40.
Bareback Bronc Riding:
The final round of IFR 40 was intense. Tim Wilkinson of Steelville, Missouri was leading the Aggregate by 7.5 points, and had already won the 2009 IPRA Bareback Bronc Riding Rookie of the Year honours. One of the last to compete, he made his ride and had won the IFR Aggregate by 3 or 4 points, however, they offered him a re-ride. The Show Me State Cowboy had won the first two rounds and tied for 2nd in the 3rd go. Exuding with confidence, he said, "I want to win the day, give me my horse." The decision could have lost him the $4,166.67 cheque for winning the aggregate, however, fortune shined down as he made another qualified ride. Unfortunately, he scored 77 points for 6th in the round, but he was able to hold on for the win of IFR 40 by exactly 5-points. The World Championship in Bareback Bronc Riding was won by Shawn Minor of Camden, Ohio whom had an amazing IFR in the Bareback Bronc Riding. He qualified for IFR 40 in the number 2 spot in the World Standings and placed 4th in the 2nd Go and tied for 3rd in the 4th Go to finish 2nd in the aggregate. The win of IFR 40 gave him the Win of the World, making this his 6th IPRA Bareback Bronc Riding World Championship. Pat Legault of Ste. Barbe, Quebec was able to cover all four broncs at IFR 40. He was 75 points in the 4th go to finish 4th overall in the Aggregate. Christian Bilodeau of St. Lin, Quebec bucked off and retired with only 2 covered. Earlier in the week, 3-time IFR Champion Bareback Rider Roger Lacasse of Mirable, Quebec was injured, subsequently turnning out of the last three rounds.
Steer Wrestling:
Canada clinched it's second World Championship in IPRA History as reigning World Champion Matt Mousseau of Dashwood, Ontario posted a 4.5 second run to tie for 2nd in the final go-round. He finished with 20.0 on four head ending 2nd in the aggregate at IFR 40. When all of the cheques were totalled, he earned more than enough for his second IPRA Steer Wrestling World Championship. Most contestants would prefer to not tie, however, Mousseau's tie for second was almost bitter sweet. Also posting a 4.5 was Alvinston, Ontario's Rod Weese. Weese's IFR was pretty decent with him catching 3 of his 4 steers; he ended up 3rd in the aggregate at the IFR. It was just enough to win the 2009 IPRA All Around Rookie of the Year Buckle, and more than enough for him to win the 2009 IPRA Steer Wrestling Rookie of the Year Buckle! Round 4 was won by Garner, North Carolina's Jason Bagwell with a 4.0. Walt Sherry of Atwood, Oklahoma won IFR 40 with 17.4 on 4-head and ended up the Reserve IPRA World Champion as well.
Saddle Bronc Riding:
Erik Wolford, the 2005 IPRA World All Around Champion and Saddle Bronc Riding World Champion lead the Aggregate by 7.5 points going into the Final Round of IFR 40. The champion added another buckle to the case following his 84-point ride aboard The Stuff of Broken Horn Rodeo Company to win both the 4th Go-round and the IFR 40 Saddle Bronc Riding Aggregate. Compounded with that, he also used the points and dollars to acquire two more buckles: the IFR 40 All Around Championship and the IFR 40 Top-Money Earner buckles. Ontop of his Buckles, $14,062.49 was his take home total. Shawn Minor, one of biggest champions of All-Time in the IPRA finished IFR 40 on a strong note. Already acquiring the 2009 Bareback Bronc Riding World Title earlier in the performance, he placed 3rd in the round to finish 4th in the aggregate at IFR 40. Though he was the season-leader going into the IFR, all of his cheques shot him way into the forefront. He ended up winning the 2009 Saddle Bronc Riding World Championship as well. In addition, he won the most coveted buckle in Professional Rodeo, the All-Around Championship. 2009 became the first year for Minor to clinch all three: Bareback, Saddle Bronc and All Around World Championships, now taking his total to 6 Bareback World Championships (03-06, 08-09), 2 Saddle Bronc Riding World Championships (07, 09) and 5 All Around Championships (04, 06-09). Dustin Thompson of Okotoks, Alberta bucked off in the 4th Round, ending with 150.5 on 2 head in the Aggregate. Though he only made one cheque at IFR 40, he was able to secure the 2009 IPRA Saddle Bronc Riding Rookie of the Year buckle. Luc Cloutier of Ste. Tite, Quebec covered with a 73, Tyler Foster of Watford, Ontario posted a 62.5 and Benoit Bouchard, also of Quebec turned out after his injury in the first-round.
Team Roping:
The 4th round of Team Roping was intense. With mere 10ths of seconds separating the top in the Aggregate and World Title Race, it would take great roping to secure the hardware. However, the leaders of the Aggregate after 3 pulled a no-time, opening the door for Jesse Leon and Casey Stipes of Salina, Oklahoma to win both buckles. Going into the round they sat 2nd in the World and 2nd in the Aggregate. A smooth 6.8 gave them 4th in the round, the IFR 40 Buckles by 8.5 seconds, and the World Titles by a fair margin. The Canadian Contingents in Team Roping didn't fair as hot, Ross Scully and Stewart Cahill of Rockwood and Strathroy, Ontario were 20.2 to end 11th in the Aggregate, and Jeremy McCulligh also of Rockwood, Ontario was 22.3 to retire 13th in the Aggregate with his Oklahoman partner Dax Stuart.
Tiedown Roping:
Back in the second go-round, the IFR State Fair Arena Record of 7.5 was broke when Ken Bailey of Henryetta, Oklahoma roped and tied in 7.4. Exciting at the time was the fact that the former arena record was held by Bailey's Cousin, Walt White, a 7-time IPRA World Champion Tiedown Roper of Ochelata, Oklahoma and PJ Spencer, the Reigning IPRA World Champion of Collinsville, Oklahoma. After round #4, another World Champion is added to the speeder list after Shawn Coleman, the 2005 Tiedown World Champion also posted a 7.4 to win the round. As for the IFR 40 Tiedown Roping Aggregate, Justin Thigpen of Waycross, Georgia was able to hold onto the lead of it following a business-type "smooth is fast" 9.9 second run. He won the aggregate with 35.5 on 4 head, 12.5 seconds faster than the second place contender. This became Thigpen's second IFR Title in the Tiedown Roping. He lead the World Standings going into the IFR by a large margin, and he accumulated enough at the IFR to win his first IPRA Tiedown Roping World Championship by over $10,000! Also having a smooth run in the final round was Rockwood, Ontario's Ross Scully. Scully was 10.3 to finish 3rd overall in the Aggregate at IFR 40.
Cowgirl's Barrel Race:
Canada had a great shot at its first IPRA World Championship in Barrel Racing rolling into IFR 40. Valcartier, Quebec's Sindy LaLiberte qualified for the IFR first in the World with an almost $4,000 lead in the standings. She placed 2nd in the first round and was seated 3rd in the Aggregate rolling into the final round. However, climbing the standings in a big way was 14-year old Mesa Leavitt of Bluegrass, Iowa. Leavitt, was the reigning 3-time World Champion Barrel Racer (06-08) and 2-time IFR Champion (IFR 38 and IFR 39). She was no stranger to the victory lap, especially after IFR 38 where she won all 4 go-rounds. IFR 40 was almost as strong for the young World Champion. She placed 3rd in the 1st Go, 4th in the 2nd Go, and won the 3rd Go. She had jumped from 4th to 2nd in the World Standings and trailed by just under $2,900. She lead the Aggregate by 0.28, and was ahead of World Leader Laliberte by over .6 seconds. For Laliberte to win the World, she would need to beat Leavitt and vice-versa. Laliberte ran a long 15.380 to wind up 11th in the Round and 6th in the Aggregate. Leavitt ran a 14.754, the fastest time of IFR 40 to win both the IFR and World Championship in the Barrel Racing. Mesa Leavitt has now won 4 consecutive World Championships, 3 consecutive IFR Championships, all before the age of 15. Sindy Laliberte did end up winning the 2009 IPRA Barrel Racing Rookie of the Year title, though. The 4th Round was a little better for Lorrainville, Quebec's Edesse Descoteau, though. She placed 2nd with a 14.817.
Bull Riding:
In the World's most dangerous event of Bull Riding, only one contender had covered all 3-bulls. Ramona, Oklahoma's Jared Long sat with 241 on 3-head. A qualified ride would have been strong enough to give him the win of the World Championship and the IFR. He bucked off Hell Yeah of 5M Rodeo Company, which kind of gave way for others to take away the Championship. Had Canada's Luke McCoag rode for 87.5, he could have won the IFR. Had Rosalia, Kansas's Carrson Hiatt, the now 2009 IPRA Bull Riding Rookie of the Year posted a 90, he would have won the IFR. Had Raymond Postlethwait of Adrian Michigan post an 82, he would have won the IFR. Postlethwait, the first contestant to qualify for the IFR at both ends of the Arena rode Charlie's Pet of Oubre Rodeo Company for 65 points to place 4th in the round, and thus 2nd in the Aggregate. This made Jared Long the 2009 IPRA World Champion Bull Rider and IFR 40 Champion by 16-points in the Aggregate. Both Canadians Ian Charman and Luke McCoag bucked off in the final Round. McCoag though placed 4th in the Aggregate with 153 on 2.
IFR 40 was record setting with the number of Canadians qualified, on top of the dollars and hardware acquired in Oklahoma, City. Other notable awards included IPRA Outdoor Rodeo of the Year awarded to Ste. Tite, Quebec, with the festival winning for the 11th consecutive time. The Rawhide Rodeo Company won most active Producer and Stock Contractor in the IPRA, and #48 High Time Gal of Rawhide Rodeo Company won the 2009 Saddle Bronc Horse of the Year World Championship.
Team Canada Buckle Tally:
Matt Mousseau, Dashwood, Ontario - 2009 IPRA World Champion Steer Wrestler
Rod Weese, Alvinston, Ontario - 2009 IPRA All-Around Rookie of the Year
Rod Weese, Alvinston, Ontario - 2009 IPRA Steer Wrestling Rookie of the Year
Dustin Thompson, Okotoks, Alberta - 2009 IPRA Saddle Bronc Riding Rookie of the Year
Sindy Laliberte, Valcartier, Quebec - 2009 IPRA Barrel Racing Rookie of the Year
Team Canada by the Bucks:
Matt Mousseau, Dashwood, Ontario $4974.91
Ross Scully, Rockwood, Ontario $3645.82
Luke McCoag, Port Rowan, Ontario $3385.42
Rod Weese, Alvinston, Ontario $3385.41
Sindy Laliberte, Valcartier, Quebec $1562.5
Edesse Descoteau, Lorrainville, Quebec $1562.5
Dustin Thompson, Okotoks, Alberta $1302.08
Tyler Foster, Watford, Ontario $1302.08
Christian Bilodeau, St-Lin, Quebec $1041.67
Pat Legault, Ste. Barbe, Quebec $1041.67
Ian Charman, Pontypool, Ontario $520.83
Stewart Cahill, Strathroy, Ontario, $520.83
Roger Lacasse, Mirabel, Quebec $0
Luc Cloutier, Ste. Tite, Quebec $0
Tim Kemp, Kitchener, Ontario $0
Benoit Bouchard, Ste. Sophie, Quebec $0
Pedro Giguere, Thetford Mines, Quebec $0
Jeremy McCulligh, Rockwood, Ontario $0
Team Canada Final Standings:
Bareback Bronc Riding
Christian Bilodeau, St-Lin, Quebec, 8th in IPRA, 11th in IFR, $1041.67 in IFR Earnings
Pat Legault, Ste. Barbe, Quebec, 11th in IPRA, 4th in IFR, $1041.67 in IFR Earnings
Roger Lacasse, Mirabel, Quebec, 6th in IPRA, 15th in IFR, $0 in IFR Earnings
Steer Wrestling
Matt Mousseau, Dashwood, Ontario, 1st in IPRA, 2nd in IFR, $4974.91 in IFR Earnings
Rod Weese, Alvinston, Ontario, 7th in IPRA, 3rd in IFR, $3385.41 in IFR Earnings
Tyler Foster, Watford, Ontario, 15th in IPRA, 14th in IFR, $1302.08 in IFR Earnings
Tim Kemp, Kitchener, Ontario, 9th in IPRA, 6th in IFR, $0 in IFR Earnings
Saddle Bronc Riding
Dustin Thompson, Okotoks, Alberta, 11th in IPRA, 11th in IFR, $1302.08 in IFR Earnings
Luc Cloutier, Ste. Tite, Quebec, 7th in IPRA, 8th in IFR, $0 in IFR Earnings
Benoit Bouchard, Ste. Sophie, Quebec, 10th in IPRA, 14th in IFR, $0 in IFR Earnings
Pedro Giguere, Thetford Mines, Quebec, 14th in IPRA, 13th in IFR, $0 in IFR Earnings
Tyler Foster, Watford, Ontario, 15th in IPRA, 12th in IFR, $0 in IFR Earnings
Team Roping: Heading
Ross Scully, Rockwood, Ontario, 14th in IPRA, 11th in IFR, $520.83 in IFR Earnings
Jeremy McCulligh, Rockwood, Ontario, 15th in IPRA, 13th in IFR, $0 in IFR Earnings
Team Roping: Heeling
Stewart Cahill, Strathroy, Ontario,, 9th in IPRA, 11th in IFR, $520.83 in IFR Earnings
Tiedown Roping
Ross Scully, Rockwood, Ontario, 5th in IPRA, 3rd in IFR, $3124.99 in IFR Earnings
Cowgirl Barrel Racing
Sindy Laliberte, Valcartier, Quebec, 2nd in IPRA, 6th in IFR, $1562.5 in IFR Earnings
Edesse Descoteau, Lorrainville, Quebec, 11th in IPRA, 5th in IFR, $1562.5 in IFR Earnings
Bull Riding
Luke McCoag, Port Rowan, Ontario, 6th in IPRA, 4th in IFR, $3385.42 in IFR Earnings
Ian Charman, Pontypool, Ontario, 14th in IPRA, 10th in IFR, $520.83 in IFR Earnings
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Sunday, 17 January 2010 09:33 |
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Tight Races in the World Championship Matches, with Canada within Reach of at least coveted title, and more Round-to-Round action at International Finals Rodeo 40 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Under the Saturday Night Lights at State Fair Arena, Round #3 of the Calvalcade commenced.
Bareback Bronc Riding:
A big round in the Riggin' Riding as the IFR 37 Champion and 2004 Rookie of the Year Josh Cragar won the round with an 81 aboard Socks from the Latting Rodeo Company. St. Lin, Quebec's Christian Bilodeau was just half a point behind at 80.5 for a three-way tie for second. Also tie-ing for second is IFR 40 Aggregate leader Tim Wilkinson who has placed 2nd or 1st in each of the three rounds so far. Going into the final round this afternoon, Wilkinson leads the aggregate by 7.5 points. At the top of the leaderboard for the World Championship, Joe Courville of Manteno, Illinois is in the lead for what could be his first World Title, however, Shawn Minor of Camden, Ohio is just $2,100 behind him. Courville will need to do something big in the final round though, as Minor sits 2nd in the Aggregate and Courville is almost out of it. Also getting a qualified ride in the Round was Pat Legault of Ste. Barbe, Quebec with a 75.5 to sit 5th in the Aggregate. 3-time IFR Champion Roger Lacasse turned out again.
Steer Wrestling:
Reigning World Champion Matt Mousseau of Dashwood, Ontario had a decent run of 4.1 to place 4th in the round and to jump to 2nd in the Aggregate. Still holding on to the World Championship, he has a lot of pressure on him rolling into the final round of IFR 40. He is being chased in the World Standings Tooter Silver who is $750 back. The Arkansas contender has only placed in one round so far, but sits 3rd in the Aggregate. Also making a run at the top is Donnie Tyner of Huntersville, North Carolina. Tyner lead the World Standings into IFR 39 last year and Mousseau was able to slide by him in the final round for the IFR and World Championship wins. Tyner is trying to do the same...he was 3.5 to tie for first in the Round last night. It won't be easy for him though. He is short one steer in the aggregate. Alvinston, Ontario's Rod Weese had a 4.2 to place deep in the round. Weese is running at the Rookie of the Year buckle, but will need to win some money in the final Round. He was passed by Athens, Alabama's Bobby Abernathy last night when Abernathy tied with Tyner for the win of the round. Abernathy leds Weese by just short of $400 for the Buckle. Other Ontario Cowboys Tim Kemp and Tyler Foster recieved a No-Time.
Saddle Bronc Riding:
Dustin Thompson of Okotoks, Alberta tied for 2nd in the round with a 78.5 on Rawhide Rodeo Company's Renegade. He now sits 7th in the Aggregate with 150.5 on 2; 4 of the top-15 have gone 3 for 3, so, he will definitely have to ride big in the 4th round for chances at the aggregate. The sole Rookie in Saddle Bronc Riding to qualify for the IFR, he has won the 2009 IPRA Saddle Bronc Riding Rookie of the Year, and has a chance to win a few more thousand. Quebec's Luc Cloutier posted a 75 to sit 8th in the Aggregate, and Quebec's Pedro Giguere posted his first score of the IFR at 72.5 to sit 12th in the Aggregate. Ontario's Tyler Foster bucked Off and Quebec's Benoit Bouchard Turned Out. Two contenders are fighting for World Champion, Shawn Minor who has won the Saddle Bronc World Championship once and Stacey Belt. Both are former Rookies of the Year in the Event. They each have two covered and sit 5th and 6th in the Aggregate. Belt inched closer with a 4th-place cheque last night, and they sit $1,700 apart with Minor still holding the lead. Erik Wolford, the 2005 IPRA World All Around Champion and Saddle Bronc Riding World Champion leads the Aggregate with 238.5 on 3, leading over 2nd for the IFR Championship by 7.5 points.
Team Roping:
Both the IFR and World Championships will come down to the final Round. The top 2 teams in the Aggregate, Joel Maker and Ben Hogan of Oklahoma lead with 18.0 on 3 after winning the 3rd Round, and Leon and Casey Stypes sit second with 17.6 on 3 after placing 2nd in the Round. If the Stypes are able to hold on to their position in the Aggregate or win the IFR, they will have enough to jump from 2nd to win the World in the Team Roping on the Heading side. The #1 Header in the World sits 5th in the Aggregate and the #1 Heeler in the World sits 10th. Chances are really good on the heeling side, though the #3 Heeler in the world sits 5th in the Aggregate. They'll still need to catch, but placing in the Round should solidify the World Championships. Both Canadian Teams recieved no times in the 3rd round.
Tiedown Roping:
Rockwood, Ontario's Ross Scully roped an 8.7 to place 4th in the Round and to jump to 3rd in the Aggregate. With a broken barrier in the 2nd round, he's 12.4 seconds back in the Aggregate, but anything can happen in the 4th and final round. A 7 is what it's going to take to win the last go, though. There have been two 7 second runs at IFR 40 in the Tiedown Roping, one in the 2nd and one in the 3rd go's. Marlow, Oklahoma's Jody Green was 7.8 to win the 3rd Go. At the top of the World Championship Race is Justin Thigpen. The former IFR Champion leads the aggregate by 1.7 seconds, and leads the World by $9,000. He looks almost un-surpassable for his first World Championship.
Cowgirl's Barrel Race:
It's is looking tough for Canadian Cowgirl at the top of the Leader Board for a Barrel Racing World Championship. Valcartier, Quebec's Sindy Laliberte has won enough to be claimed the 2009 Barrel Racing Rookie of the Year, however, she sits 3rd in the Aggregate and is being trailed by $2,900 in the World Standings. Mesa Leavitt, the 14 year-old 3x World Champion and 2x World Champion is now leading the Aggregate after winning the 3rd Go. Unless Laliberte is able to jump ahead of her in the Aggregate, or atleast beat her in the Final Round and place for a payout...Leavitt may slide by her for her 4th World Championship. They are 0.516 apart in the Aggregate. Ride Sindy, Ride!!!
Bull Riding:
Ian Charman posted his first score of the IFR. The Pontypool, Ontario Cowboy was 72.5 points on Big hat Rodeo Company's Disorderly Conduct. He sits 8th in the Aggregate with 4th right now holding strong with 150.5 on 2. Luke McCoag who has placed twice at the IFR sits thrid in the aggregate with 153 on 2, but wasn't able to cover his Wooten Rodeo Company Bull last night. Leading the Aggregate and the only one to cover all three bulls is Jared Long of Ramona, Oklahoma. He placed thrid last night and has now jumped to the lead for a World Championship. Should he cover in the 4th Round, he will win both the IFR and the World Championship.
Team Canada Standings after Round 3:
Bareback Bronc Riding
Roger Lacasse, Mirabel, Quebec 4rd in IPRA, 15th in IFR
Christian Bilodeau, St-Lin, Quebec 8th in IPRA, 10th in IFR
Pat Legault, Ste. Barbe, Quebec 12th in IPRA, 5th in IFR
Steer Wrestling
Matt Mousseau, Dashwood, Ontario 1st in IPRA, 2nd in IFR
Tim Kemp, Kitchener, Ontario 7th in IPRA, 10th in IFR
Rod Weese, Alvinston, Ontario 10th in IPRA, 9th in IFR
Tyler Foster, Watford, Ontario 14th in IPRA, 13th in IFR
Saddle Bronc Riding
Luc Cloutier, Ste. Tite, Quebec 6th in IPRA, 8th in IFR
Benoit Bouchard, Ste. Sophie, Quebec 9th in IPRA, 14th in IFR
Dustin Thompson, Okotoks, Alberta 10th in IPRA, 7th in IFR
Pedro Giguere, Thetford Mines, Quebec 14th in IPRA, 12th in IFR
Tyler Foster, Watford, Ontario 15th in IPRA, 13th in IFR
Team Roping: Heading
Ross Scully, Rockwood, Ontario 12th in IPRA, 11th in IFR
Jeremy McCulligh, Rockwood, Ontario 13th in IPRA, 14th in IFR
Team Roping: Heeling
Stewart Cahill, Strathroy, Ontario, 6th in IPRA, 11th in IFR
Tiedown Roping
Ross Scully, Rockwood, Ontario 6th in IPRA, 3rd in IFR
Cowgirl Barrel Racing
Sindy Laliberte, Valcartier, Quebec 1st in IPRA, 3rd in IFR
Edesse Descoteau, Lorrainville, Quebec 15th in IPRA, 6th in IFR
Bull Riding
Luke McCoag, Port Rowan, Ontario 5th in IPRA, 3rd in IFR
Ian Charman, Pontypool, Ontario 14th in IPRA, 8th in IFR
IFR 40 Performance Times
Friday, January 15 7:30 p.m. CST
Saturday, January 16 1:30 p.m. CST
Saturday, January 16 7:30 p.m. CST
Sunday, January 17 1:30 p.m. CST
(an hour behind us here in Ontario)
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Saturday, 16 January 2010 21:08 |
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Saturday, January 16th is a big day at State Fair Arena as the top-15 in the IPRA World Standings will compete twice in Rounds 2 and 3 of the 4-Round International Finals Rodeo.
Going into the second Round, Team Canada lead the Steer Wrestling World Title Race, the Cowgirl Barrel Racing World Title Race, and both the Sadddle Bronc Riding and Steer Wrestling Rookie of the Year Races.
The Matinee performance was pretty electric with a few Canadians placing big; but there also were some big moves in the World Title Races across the board.
Bareback Bronc Riding:
A trend has popped up for Canadian Legend in Bareback, Roger Lacasse. At the last few IFR's, he's Turned-out. Looks like Injuries have plagued the 3 x IFR Champion Bareback Rider again in 2010. Quebec, Contender Christian Bilodeau fell victim to a Hampton Rodeo Company bronc named Firecracker, while the easy to spot Ste. Barbe, Quebec cowboy Pat Legaut socred a 75 versus Latting Rodeo Company Bronc, Sunflower. Legault is known for his bright orange attire, and he is seen about midway up the pack in the aggregate with 151 ponts on 2 to sit 7th. The Big Freshman on Campus, Bareback Bronc Riding Rookie of the Year contender Tim Wilkinson of Steelville, Missouri won his second round in as many outs after an 82 on Sweet Thing of Latting Rodeo Company. Also hitting the spotlight in Round #2 were some more Rawhide Rodeo Broncs; Reigning World Champion Bareback Horse Corona Sunrise turfed the #1 Rider in the world Joe Courville, while Big Gun and Two Feathers brough a 4th for 5-time Bareback Bronc Riding World Champion and 4-time All Around Champ of the World Shawn Minor of Camden, Ohio with an 80, and a tie for second-place 80.5 for the '05 World Champion Bareback Bronc Rider and All-Around Champ of the World Erik Wolford, respectively. Wilkinson leads the aggregate with 163 on 2, just 4 points ahead of Wolford. Minor's placing has helped bridge the gap to get him closer to the #1 spot in the World in Bareback. He's a 1st place paycheck and a lil' bit out of #1.
Steer Wrestling:
Watford, Ontario's Tyler Foster got his first steer down in IFR 40 in a fast 4.0-second run. He tied with Tar-heel State Cowboy Joe Cook for second to each net over $1,300. After missing his first steer, Foster is deep in the aggregate at 9th. All the Canadians caught: Rod Weese was 5.5 for 6th in the Round, and Reigning World Champion Matt Mousseau of Dashwood Ontario was 6.7 for 7th. The World Leader sits tied for 4th in the Aggregate with second seated Tooter Silver, and the pair are just under 300-points apart in the World Title Race. The Champ of the Round with the fastest time of IFR 40 so far was Dunn, North Carolina's Brian Barefoot. His win in the go took him from 5th to 3rd in the World Title Race, also within reach of Mousseau at the top at less than 350 points. He has only one-head in the aggregate, though, which could make it difficult to catch the top two if they're smooth...the aggregate pays more than double what the rounds do, but anything can happen at the midway point of the IFR.
Saddle Bronc Riding:
Carrying the torch for Canada right now in the Bronc Riding is Luc Cloutier of Ste. Tite, Quebec. He was able to put a 74.5-point ride together versus a horse he's seen a few times before, High Time Gal of Rawhide Rodeo Company. He jumped to 8th in the Aggregate, and after the 2nd Round. 6 of the top-15 have two covered in the Aggregate. Albertan Dustin Thompson bucked off, along with Quebecois Pedro Giguere and Ontarian Tyler Foster. Rounding out Team Canada is Benoit Bouchard of Ste. Sophie, Quebec who Turned out. The the 2005 All-Around Champion of the World Erik Worlford won his second consecutive round in the Saddle Broncs Riding following a 79 on Whiskey of Universal Rodeos, LLC. Season Leader Shawn Minor placed 3rd again to inch a little further into the lead of what could be his 2nd Saddle Bronc Riding World Championship.
Team Roping:
Round two of IFR 40 was rough on the Canadian Connection in Team Roping. Ontario's Scully and Cahill were sitting 4th in the Aggregate, but following a No-time after two failed heel loops, they retire in the 11th spot in the aggregate. Rockwood, Ontario's Jeremy McCulligh was able to get his first career IFR Time, though it stopped at 26.8 with his Roland, Oklahoma Partner Dax Stuart. The big guns in the roping took a second off the fastest time of the IFR. Though a 5.4 would win the first round, it wouldn't place in the second round as 5.0 was "last hole". It's a tight World Title Race, and after placing 3rd in the First-round, Cory Kidd of Charlotte, North Carolina was able to jump to #1 in the World going into the Second Round with his partner, #2 Seated Adam Plyler of Pageland, South Carolina. They won the second go with a 4.3, to hold onto Kidd's #1 spot in the World, and to push Plyler to just over 700 points of the top spot in the Heeling going into the third Round. The Aggregate is tied with 10.3 on two with the team of Stipes and Stipes who won the first-round, and Clay and Jake Pianalto of Lincoln, Arkansas.
Tiedown Roping:
We called for 7's in the Second go, and a two-time IPRA World Champion and IFR Champion, Ken Bailey of Henryetta, Oklahoma posted a 7.4 2006 IPRA World Champion Trent Creager placed second with an 8.0, and Season Leader Justin Thigpen placed third with an 8.1. Thigpen holds a comfortable lead in the World Standings, and a decent lead in the aggregate now as well. He sits with 16.4 on 2, 1.1 seconds ahead of Trent Creager. Thigpen a former IFR Champion in 2004 now looks poised to win his first World Championship, if he can get through the next two rounds of IFR 40. More 7's to come... Canadian Ross Scully was 9.6 plus 10, and now sits 6th in the aggregate.
Cowgirl's Barrel Race:
Quebec, Canada Cowgirl Sindy Laliberte had a decent run in the Barrel Racing in the second Round. Though out of the money, she sits 3rd in the Aggregate, which will hopefully help her hold on to her grasp of the #1 Spot in the IPRA World and Rookie of the Year honours. But, there are a few gunning for her...1st...Myle Ratchford of Kingston, Arkansas. The Go-Round 1 Winner won the Second Go-round and almost leads the aggregate by an entire second. The 14-year-old 3-time World Champion Mesa Levitt placed in the round as well, and sits second in the Aggreate. She's 5,000 points back and could take the first Canadian World Championship away from Sindy Laliberte; but Laliberte is holding her own, just under two-tenths of a second back of Levitt. The other Canadian Barrel Racer Edesse Descoteaux ran clean and sits 6th in the IFR after 2.
Bull Riding:
Eastern Canadian Bull Riding Champion Luke McCoag is having a great IFR. After placing 4th in the 1st Go, he was able to cover again versus a local Sooner State Bull, Down Drft of Wild Horse Rodeo Productions. And his 81-point ride was strong enough to tie him with neighbouring Michigan's Raymond Postlethwait. McCoag is second in the Aggregate and only 10-points back off of Jared Long for the IFR Championship. Ramona, Oklahoma's Long has bigger goals set at this point...he's in a tight race behind Shane Rickly for the World Championship. Long is less than 600-points back, and Rickly is like almost half of the Bull Riders...0 for 2 making him tied for 8th through 15th.
Tight races for World Championships in every event except Tiedown Roping...for now.
Round 3 of IFR 40 is just starting...stay tuned!
Team Canada Standings after Round 2:
Bareback Bronc Riding
Roger Lacasse, Mirabel, Quebec 4rd in IPRA, 15th in IFR
Christian Bilodeau, St-Lin, Quebec 7th in IPRA, 11th in IFR
Pat Legault, Ste. Barbe, Quebec 12th in IPRA, 6/7 in IFR
Steer Wrestling
Matt Mousseau, Dashwood, Ontario 1st in IPRA, 4/5 in IFR
Tim Kemp, Kitchener, Ontario 7th in IPRA, 3rd in IFR
Rod Weese, Alvinston, Ontario 9th in IPRA, 12th in IFR
Tyler Foster, Watford, Ontario 13th in IPRA, 8/9 in IFR
Saddle Bronc Riding
Luc Cloutier, Ste. Tite, Quebec 5th in IPRA, 8th in IFR
Benoit Bouchard, Ste. Sophie, Quebec 8th in IPRA, 14th in IFR
Dustin Thompson, Okotoks, Alberta 13th in IPRA, 10th in IFR
Pedro Giguere, Thetford Mines, Quebec 14th in IPRA, 13th in IFR
Tyler Foster, Watford, Ontario 15th in IPRA, 12th in IFR
Team Roping: Heading
Ross Scully, Rockwood, Ontario 12th in IPRA, 11th in IFR
Jeremy McCulligh, Rockwood, Ontario 13th in IPRA, 14th in IFR
Team Roping: Heeling
Stewart Cahill, Strathroy, Ontario, 6th in IPRA, 11th in IFR
Tiedown Roping
Ross Scully, Rockwood, Ontario 7th in IPRA, 6th in IFR
Cowgirl Barrel Racing
Sindy Laliberte, Valcartier, Quebec 1st in IPRA, 3rd in IFR
Edesse Descoteau, Lorrainville, Quebec 13th in IPRA, 6th in IFR
Bull Riding
Luke McCoag, Port Rowan, Ontario 4th in IPRA, 2nd in IFR
Ian Charman, Pontypool, Ontario 15th in IPRA, 8/15 in IFR
Official results are posted at:
IFR 40 Performance Times
Friday, January 15 7:30 p.m. CST
Saturday, January 16 1:30 p.m. CST
Saturday, January 16 7:30 p.m. CST
Sunday, January 17 1:30 p.m. CST
(an hour behind us here in Ontario)
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Saturday, 16 January 2010 11:46 |
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At the 2010 International Professional Rodeo Association Finals, International Finals Rodeo 40, Team Canada is in Full-Effect. A record number of Canadians Qualified, and Canada even has representation on the personnel front with Dominic Roy of Ste. Lin du Laurentides, QC as one of the two Bullfighters running Defence for World Champion Bull Riders.
Team Canada Consists of:
Bareback Bronc Riding
Roger Lacasse, Mirabel, Quebec (3rd)
Christian Bilodeau, St-Lin, Quebec (7th)
Pat Legault, Ste. Barbe, Quebec (11th)
Steer Wrestling
Matt Mousseau, Dashwood, Ontario (1st)
Tim Kemp, Kitchener, Ontario (7th)
Rod Weese, Alvinston, Ontario (9th)
Tyler Foster, Watford, Ontario (15th)
Saddle Bronc Riding
Luc Cloutier, Ste. Tite, Quebec (5th)
Benoit Bouchard, Ste. Sophie, Quebec (9th)
Dustin Thompson, Okotoks, Alberta (12th)
Pedro Giguere, Thetford Mines, Quebec (13th)
Tyler Foster, Watford, Ontario (15th)
Team Roping: Heading
Ross Scully, Rockwood, Ontario (12th)
Jeremy McCulligh, Rockwood, Ontario (13th)
Team Roping: Heeling
Stewart Cahill, Strathroy, Ontario, (4th)
Tiedown Roping
Ross Scully, Rockwood, Ontario (6th)
Cowgirl Barrel Racing
Sindy Laliberte, Valcartier, Quebec (1st)
Edesse Descoteau, Lorrainville, QU
Bull Riding
Luke McCoag, Port Rowan, Ontario (6th)
Ian Charman, Pontypool, Ontario (15th)
Canada has faired well at the IFR over the past decade.
The first to really break international barriers was Roger Lacasse, Mirabel, QC, who has won 3 IFR's in Bareback Bronc Riding, those being IFR 34 in 2004, IFR 35 in 2005 and IFR 38 in 2008. The Maple Leaf was at the top of the podium courtesy of a Cowgirl for the first time in 2006 as Cathy Grant of Granton, Ontario won IFR 36 in Cowgirl Barrel Racing, becoming the first Canadian Cowgirl to pull silver and gold from Oklahoma City. IPRA fans from Canada had had a taste, and felt how close a World Championship could be. Then, in January 2009, Matt Mousseau of Dashwood, Ontario made the dream a reality as he won the first World Championship for Canada. That came following his IFR 39 win in Steer Wrestling, enough to give him the IPRA World Championship.
Going into Round #1, the stage was set for Canada to do some big things again. Team Captains, rather IFR Veterans had qualified again, ie. Mousseau and Lacasse. A glance of the standings is pretty exciting. Mousseau lead the World in Steer Wrestling going into the IFR. Last year he played catch-up. Oklahoma is a buzz over Sindy Laliberte of Valcartier, Quebec however. Though in 2009 Canada lead the world in Barrel Racing going into the IFR with Acton, Ontario's Robin Williamson, 2010 is a little deeper with World Leader Laliberte not only with an over $5,000 lead...but she also leads Rookie of the Year. Oh, and Laliberte doesn't speak the greatest of English, so, the Okies are pretty fascinated.
Joining Laliberte in the Rookie of the Year chances for Canada is Dustin Thompson of Oktotoks, Alberta in the Saddle Bronc Riding. And with double the chance to win a ROY is Rod Weese of Alvinston, Ontario. He leads the Rookie of the Year race in the Steer Wrestling, but even more exciting is that he is only a few points back for the All-Around Rookie of the Year Buckle.
The Mad Props go to Ross Scully of Rockwood, Ontario qualifying in Two Events, Tiedown and Team Roping, and Tyler Foster of Watford, Ontario, qualifying in Steer Wrestling and Saddle Bronc. The first-time jitters are definitely not something to worrry about for these multi-event contenders; Scully qualified for his first IFR in 2009 and Foster for his first in 2008.
Go-Round #1, Friday January 15th, 2010.
Bareback Bronc Riding:
The entire field came to ride broncs in Okie-city with 14 of 15 making it to the "Tooter" (8-second buzzer for a qualified ride). The three Canadians placed deep in the rounds with Pat Legault posting a 76 to tie for 6/7 and Christian Bilodeau posting a 75.5 for 8th and Lacasse with a 73.5 for 10/11. With 4 rounds total, a decent ride to start things off is a bonus, and they're only a few points back in the Aggregate on 1. Round 1 was won by a Show Me State Cowboy, Tim Wilkinson. The Steelville, MO Riggin' Rider went for 80.5 vs. Iron Mountain of Oubre Rodeo Company.
Steer Wrestling:
A little shaky for a few of the Canucks. Rod Weese and Tyler Foster both received no-times for their efforts. Competing at his first IFR is Kitchener Cowboy Tim Kemp who made a run on his maiden run; a 5.3 for 8th. Reigning World Champion and Season Leader, Matt Mousseau ran a 4.7 for 7th. The Round was won by Jordan Wiseman of McAlester, OK. Wiseman jumped from around 8th to 3rd in the World after his 4.1-second run. Wiseman is another IFR Veteran, he won IFR 38 to help solidify his 2007 IPRA World Championship (the same year).
Team Roping:
Canada's Team in Team Roping, Ross Scully and Stewart Cahill, Rockwood and Strathroy, Ontario had a pretty quick run of 6.4 to place 4th in the round. Scully is competing for the first time in Team Roping at the IFR, and it's Cahill's second trip. Also in the Team Roping from Canada is Jeremy McCulligh of Rockwood, Ontario. McCulligh missed both loops and pulled a No-Time in the First Round. He wasn't alone, three other headers were with him. Champs of the Round were Jesse Leon and Casey Stipes of Salina, Oklahoma with a 5.4. Canada is a mere 1.0 back in the Aggregate with three rounds to go.
Saddle Bronc Riding:
The Saddle Broncs were a little more victorious than the Bareback Broncs. 4 no-scores were recorded. Unfortunately, two of them were awarded to Canada. Pedreo Giguere of Thetford Mines, Quebec and Luc Cloutier of Ste. Tite, Quebec are back a head rolling into Round 2. Canada is strong in the Broncs numbers wise with 5 qualifying (I believe the most was 7 in 2006). Benoit Bouchard of Ste. Sophie, Quebec posted a 74 for 7th, Dustin Thompson of Okotoks, Alberta was 72 points for 10th, and Tyler Foster was just outside of the Top-10 with a 66. Canadian Horses made money with Rawhide Rodeo's (Dual Citizen Broncs) Renegade and former IFR Saddle Bronc Horse of the Finals and Reigning World Champion Bucking Horse Mardi Gras boty being scored 76.5 with their riders. The Champ of Round #1 was TV-Cowboy Superstar Erik Wolford of Walton, KY with an 83. Aside from being one of the best on "Toughest Cowboy", Wolford was the 2005 IPRA All-Around World Champion and Saddle Bronc World Champion that same year.
Tiedown Roping:
His second IFR and his second Run of the night, Ross Scully of Rockwood, Ontario posted a 9.7 for his second 4th of the night. Smooth roping netted him over $1,000 between the two events. It went 9.7, 9.5, then all the way up to 8.3 with the World Leader and IFR 34 Champion Justin Thigpen, Waycross, GA in 2nd. Tiedown is tough. Walt White of Ochelata, Oklahoma took the round with an 8.1 White's a decent roper with a couple of buckles. Except their World Championship buckles with the count being 7 from 92 through 2000, plus an IFR Championship. Look for 7's in Round 2. It will be a smoke show.
Barrel Racing:
Sindy Laliberte, Valcartier, Canada has been the talk of OKC. The papers have been reporting how her English isn't the bestest (sic). Fortunately for her, she has a good guide helping her in Edesse Descoteau of Lorrainville, Quebec. Edesse is the reigning IPRA Barrel Racing Rookie of the Year. And certainly Laliberte has great confidence with a $4,000 lead over 2nd in the World Championship points race and $12,000 in the Rookie Race. The first question that came to mind for me though was...what about 14 year-old Mesa Levitt. She was able to overcome the Canadian in the Driver Seat rolling into the 2009 Finals. Young Levitt is a 3-time IPRA World Champion Barrel Racer. She won the Rookie of the Year her first year along with her World Championship. At the following IFR in 2008, she won ALL 4 Go-Rounds. And she won the IFR in 2009. 3 World Championships. Two IFR's. And even with a field of the IPRA's Best 15, she was able to post 3rd. Sindy Laliberte placed Second with a 15.052. Myle Ratchford of Kingston, Arkansas won the Round with a 14.882. Laliberte jumped to an over $5,500 lead in the World Standings. Descoteau placed 7th and is only about .5 seconds back.
Bull Riding:
Two Canadian Bull Riders in the field, Pontypool, Ontario's Ian Charman and Port Rowan, Ontario's Luke McCoag. Charman Bucked off as did two-thirds of the field of 15. McCoag covered a bull named Gusto from the Southern Rodeo Company for a combined score of 72, good enough for 4th. The 2008 IPRA Bull Riding Rookie of the Year, Shane Barratier won the first Round after an 83-point ride on Uno of Broken Horn Rodeo Company.
So, after 1, Canada is doing real well. Potentially 2 World Championships, 3 Rookie of the Year Honors and maybe 6 IFR Buckles could be heading north of the 49th Parallel. Go C-Eh-N-eh-D-eh!
IFR 40 Performance Times
Friday, January 15 7:30 p.m. CST
Saturday, January 16 1:30 p.m. CST
Saturday, January 16 7:30 p.m. CST
Sunday, January 17 1:30 p.m. CST
(an hour behind us here in Ontario)
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Sunday, 13 December 2009 22:21 |
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Yesterday I found a post that Carrie Underwood donated $200,000 to the Humane Society of the United States. Her fans are saying, "it's for neutering and stuff", but a simple Google search would show: it's not. Miss Underwood just handed over a ton of coin to help the largest Animal Rights Activist organization one Earth fight Farmers and Ranchers and anyone else that has an interest in animals.
What is the HSUS?
"Despite the words “humane society” on its letterhead, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is not affiliated with your local animal shelter. Despite the omnipresent dogs and cats in its fundraising materials, it’s not an organization that runs spay/neuter programs or takes in stray, neglected, and abused pets. And despite the common image of animal protection agencies as cash-strapped organizations dedicated to animal welfare, HSUS has become the wealthiest animal rights organization on earth.
HSUS is big, rich, and powerful, a “humane society” in name only. And while most local animal shelters are under-funded and unsung, HSUS has accumulated $113 million in assets and built a recognizable brand by capitalizing on the confusion its very name provokes. This misdirection results in an irony of which most animal lovers are unaware: HSUS raises enough money to finance animal shelters in every single state, with money to spare, yet it doesn’t operate a single one anywhere.
Instead, HSUS spends millions on programs that seek to economically cripple meat and dairy producers; eliminate the use of animals in biomedical research labs; phase out pet breeding, zoos, and circus animal acts; and demonize hunters as crazed lunatics. HSUS spends $2 million each year on travel expenses alone, just keeping its multi-national agenda going"
http://www.activistcash.com/organization_overview.cfm?oid=136
"We have to wonder: With a $100 million annual budget and $200 million in the bank, doesn’t HSUS already have enough cash to throw its PETA-inspired weight around? After all, it’s not like HSUS’s bottom line is burdened by, say, contributing any more than 4 percent of its budget to the real “humane societies” that operate hands-on dog and cat shelters."
http://www.consumerfreedom.com/news_detail.cfm/h/4034-sucker-can-you-spare-a-dime-for-hsus
Onto the oversized cheque for 200k....
Farmers Aren't too happy: "Instead of donating that money to charities that could help people, especially during the Christmas season, she gave it to the richest animal right organization on the planet. She gave it to a group that uses more than 95% of it’s budget for travel and lobbying against family farmers and ranchers. She may play country music, but she forgot long ago about the country she grew up in." http://advocatesforag.blogspot.com/2009/12/carrie-underwood-consider-hero-of-hsus.html
"One of Pacelle’s first acts as HSUS’s new chief executive was to send a memo to all HSUS staffers articulating his vision for the future. HSUS’s new “campaigns section,” Pacelle wrote, “will focus on farm animals.”"
http://www.activistcash.com/organization_overview.cfm?oid=136
The Hunters and Anglers aren't too happy:
"Carrie Underwood has decided to use her talents to benefit an organization dedicated to destroying the rights of thousands of her fans,"
http://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/whitetails/2009/03/discussion-topic-carrie-underwood-and-humane-society
"It`s sad to see a country western star giving money to a group like this. It`s safe to say that the majority of her fans are outdoorsmen/hunters/fishermen.
We urge you to tell as many people as you can about Carrie Underwood and to stop buying her albums and supporting her. When you support her you`re also supporting the HSUS."
http://www.huntersagainstpeta.com/carrie-underwood-gives-200-grand-to-the-hsus
And the Rodeo Industry isn't too happy:
"Don't support those who want to stop our way of life! RT @TroyHadrick: Underwood donated $200K to #HSUS. "
http://twitter.com/rodeolivestock/status/6582416158
"Carrie might want to consider who is more likely to support her music by buying concert tickets and CD's. I can almost guarantee Ms. Underwood that the fans who support rodeo and eat meat are going to help make her living. Not the Animal Rights Thugs."
http://www.theharryrowellfamily.org/CarrieUnderwoodantirodeo.htm
And why wouldn't they be. Direct from the HSUS Website:
"...The HSUS opposes rodeos..."
http://www.humanesociety.org/about/policy_statements/statement_animals_research_entertainment_competition.html
even general Equitation: jumping, racing is in their sights:
"...The HSUS does not oppose all horse racing or all horse shows; however, we do oppose a variety of practices that cause unnecessary suffering or undue risks to horses. These include the use of drugs for non-therapeutic purposes to enable injured or disadvantaged animals to race, the racing of young animals whose bones and bodies have not matured sufficiently, the use of goads and whips, the soring of show horses, over-breeding, and other activities that cause unnecessary distress to horses."
http://www.humanesociety.org/about/policy_statements/statement_animals_research_entertainment_competition.html
To summarize, Carrie Underwood donated $200,000 to Animal Activists to continue their fight and cause: lobbying Government to change practices of anything where an animal is involved. The kittys and puppys won't see any Carrie-coin. In an ideal world the HSUS would do away with the lap dog she carries around, and tell her own family that their ranch is overcrowded (ranchers in Checotah, Oklahoma according to Wikipedia).
Though Underwood tries to be a cross-over artist, her roots are Country. The genre is the credo of those in the Rural Lifestyle: Farmers, Ranchers, Western Riders, Rodeo-Types, Hunters, Anglers. Her gesture lashes out at a major portion of her own fan base. Too bad Underwood didn't Google.
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