Valley City, N.D. -No barrel racer in the Badlands Circuit has been as consistent over the past few years as Jessica Routier. The Buffalo, S.D., cowgirl has been the reserve champion circuit barrel racer the last two years by the slimmest of margins: just $385 behind champion Tamra Musick in 2008 and an excruciating $1.96 last year behind champion Britany Fleck.

Always the bridesmaid . . . has never been truer. 2010 may be her year. Routier and her great mare, Especials Smoothie are already off to a good start, placing at every circuit rodeo thus far, beginning with a third place at Brookings, S.D., last October. With a $1,380 paycheck at the Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo in Rapid City, S.D., the first of February, Routier has been climbing the standings.

Now, with a big win at the North Dakota Winter Show in Valley City last weekend, Routier has moved to the top of the standings in the Badlands Circuit. She and the now 15-year-old Smoothie rounded the tiny pattern in 12.92 seconds, just two one-hundredths ahead of three time Wrangler NFR qualifier Lisa Lockhart. Rookie Jennilee Thompson was third.

The win was worth $866 and pushed Routier's season earnings in the circuit to $3,574, about $98 ahead of second place Melissa Bachand, who split eighth in Valley City.

Since hitting the pro ranks, Routier and Smoothie have collected many memorable wins, including the championship at the Black Hills Stock Show in 2009. Describing her as a reject cutting horse, Routier has been running Smoothie since the mare was just four. The pair won the College National Finals Rodeo back in 2003.

Routier is aiming for a fourth Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo qualification, to go with three previous Great Lakes CFR qualifications and two trips to the Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo. Smoothie, whom Routier says has a big heart and excels in small arenas, has been her mount all along the way.

The North Dakota Winter Show runs March 2 through March 7, though professional rodeo action is held over three performances March 6-7. In addition to the rodeo, the winter show hosts 4-H/FFA events and livestock shows. The NDWS offers scholarships to North Dakota high school students planning on attending North Dakota colleges. For more information, visit them at www.northdakotawintershow.com.