|
Jolee Lautaret has been down this road before; rookie Kelsi Elkins hasn't.
This weekend (Oct. 1-3), they'll race against one another and the Dodge Turquoise Circuit Finals Rodeo field to see who wins the region's year-end title. And as tight as this year's standings has been, it should be quite a race.
"I won second at Tucson (Ariz.) in February and won quite a bit of my money there," said Lautaret, a three-time Wrangler National Finals qualifier and past Turquoise Circuit director. "That same weekend, I did really well in Scottsdale, so a big chunk of my money came in that one week."
The championship takes place Thursday-Saturday at the Southern New Mexico State Fair Arena in Las Cruces, N.M., and provides a new pen in which Lautaret will run her prized 17-year-old mare, Im Miss Sticks.
"This is the fourth year we've had it in Las Cruces," she said. "The first year, we were in their outdoor arena, then they built a covered pen. This will be the first time I've competed in that arena."
That might lead to an advantage for Elkins, a student at New Mexico State University, which is based in Las Cruces. She also has the standings lead heading into the finale.
"I don't know Kelsi real well," Lautaret said. "We watched her last year on her permit, and she won quite a bit in our circuit and did real well in Albuquerque. We all knew she was coming.
"I think she won a bunch right there in a row in the summer."
Experienced hand vs. newcomer. Winter winner vs. summer sizzle. It could lead to some excitement in Las Cruces over the weekend.
Lautaret is counting on her two Turquoise Circuit Finals Rodeo championships — won in 1996 and 2005 — to maybe help her push to the top over the three-day stretch. Of course, having Belle to lead the way is also a blessing.
"She's been around," Lautaret said. "I got her at the end of 2000 and have been on her since. She's had a lot of injuries the last little bit.
"We were off all last year, but I was really proud of her this year. She's got some age on her, but I'm thrilled with just how well she did this year."
Editor's Note: The Dodge Turquoise Circuit will be the first of 12 circuit finals between now and middle of January. Once completed two individuals (the year-end winner and average winner from the Circuit Finals Rodeo) will earn a spot in the 2010 Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo in Pocatello, Idaho. Be sure to check back for previews of each circuit finals rodeo here at www.wpra.com.
|
