Peters Wins WPRA Card Holder Race at WPRA World Finals

Ann Bleiker

WACO, TEXAS – The 2023 WPRA World Finals at Extraco Events Center in Waco came to a close on the morning of November 12 with the Boot Barn Card Holder race and permit race.

            Skyla Peters won the Boot Barn card holder race and added nearly $12,000 to her 2024 WPRA ProRodeo standings getting a great jump start on the year. Peters of Sublette, Kansas, placed in all three rounds winning the second round in a time of 15.708 seconds, the fastest of the weekend.

Peters placed fourth in the first round in a time of 15.849, won the second round and then finished second behind NFR qualifier Wenda Johnson in the final round in a time of 15.806.

            Abby Phillips was second in the average in a time of 47.584, while Johnson was third in a time of 47.618 seconds.

Emily Ward of Miles, Texas, didn’t waste any time filling her WPRA permit. She purchased her permit in October and entered the WPRA World Finals Permit Only Race. She won the final round and average title and will now be faced with the decision to extend her permit or embark on her rookie year. Due to her school schedule, she will more than likely be extending her permit. Ward finished eighth in the first round in a time of 16.461, was third in the second round in a time of 16.264 and won the final round in an event best time of 15.902 to land atop the average leaderboard in a time of 48.627.

            Kara McDonald won the Junior World Champion title after finishing the year with $15,061. McDonald of Brunswick, GA, outdistanced fellow Southeastern Circuit racer Makayla Maddie of Auburndale, FL with $12,470.

            Congrats to all the winners and good luck in 2024!

Results:

Card race: First round: 1. Ashley Castleberry, 15.745 seconds, $3,255; 2. Abby Phillips, 15.818, $2,790; 3. Kalli McCall, 15.822, $2,325; 4. Skyla Peters, 15.849, $2,015; 5. Jordan Driver, 15.850, $1,550; 6. Paige Dove, 15.870, $1,240; 7. Preslie Reid, 15.950, $930; 8. Liz Pinkston, 15.952, $620; 9. Shelley Morgan, 15.988, $465; 10. Cheyenne Wimberley, 16.015, $310.

Second round: 1. Skyla Peters, 15.708 seconds, $3,254; 2. Kassie Mowry, 15.710, $2,790; 3. Jymmy Kay Cox, 15.772, $2,325; 4. Abby Phillips, 15.774, $2,015; 5. Millie Marquart, 15.809, $1,550; 6. Kaiden Ayres, 15.847, $1,240; 7. Wenda Johnson, 15.851, $930; 8. Ari-Anna Flynn, 15.886, $620; 9. Sadie Miller, 15.905, $465; 10. Cheyenne Wimberley, 15.931, $310.

Final round: 1. Wenda Johnson, 15.741 seconds, $2,411; 2. Skyla Peters, 15.806, $1,808; 3. Alishea Broussard, 15.826, $1,206; 4. Lana Merrick-Bailey, 15.837, $603.

Average: 1. Skyla Peters, 47.363 seconds on three runs, $4,882; 2. Abby Phillips, 47.548, $4,185; 3. Wenda Johnson, 47.618, $3,487; 4. Ashley Castleberry, 47.710, $3,022; 5. Kassie Mowry, 47.716, $2,324; 6. Millie Marquart, 47.898, $1,860; 7. Preslie Reid, 47.975, $1,395; 8. Lana Merrick-Bailey, 47.991, $930; 9. Kaiden Ayres, 48.006, $697; 10. Tiany Schuster, 48.070, $465.

Permit race: First round: 1. Avery Ledesma, 15.962 seconds, $758; 2. Ashton Padon, 16.242, $659; 3. Nisse Flaten, 16.318, $560; 4. Shelby Vick, 16.382, $461; 5. Catherine Rhodus, 16.396, $362; 6. Alissa Flores, 16.437, $264; 7. Sarina Landers, 16.450, $165; 8. Emily Ward, 16.461, $66.

Second round: 1. Emma Ricke, 16.223, $758; 2. Catherine Rhodus, 16.230, $659; 3. Emily Ward, 16.264, $560; 4. Jancie Shelburne, 16.302, $461; 5. Sarina Landers, 16.321, $362; 6. Ashton Padon, 16.457, $264; 7. Casi Guess, 16.519, $165; 8. Sara Redden, 16.540, $66.

Final round: 1. Emily Ward, 15.902 seconds, $628; 2. Ashton Padon, 16.231, $471; 3. Catherine Rhodus, 16.254, $314; 4. Sarina Landers, 16.337, $157.

Average: 1. Emily Ward, 48.627 seconds on three runs, $1,082; 2. Catherine Rhodus, 48.880, $941; 3. Ashton Padon, 48.930, $800; 4. Sarina Landers, 49.108, $659; 5. Nisse Flaten, 49.386, $518; 6. Casi Guess, 49.615, $377; 7. Shelbi Anders, 49.661, $235; 8. Sara Redden, 49.712, $94.

Crawford Adds Three More WPRA World Titles to Resume

Overall Total Now 23

Ann Bleiker

WACO, TEXAS – Jackie Crawford entered the 2023 WPRA World Finals in Waco, Texas, wanting to add one more all-around title to her resume. She accomplished that goal and in so doing also added two additional titles in the team roping and tie-down roping bringing her overall WPRA titles for her career to 23.

“I am at a loss for words,” Crawford stated shortly after picking up all her prize package haul. “I had my sights set on one thing when I first started and so I entered the tie-down for the all-around race as I thought it would be cool to win one more. Then the more I got to looking at the standings I realized I had a shot at more. My sights were on the all-around and trying to accomplish that goal and a few things fell into place this weekend for me to leave with more. I can’t believe it.”

Crawford won her 10^th all-around title after pocketing $8,152 with earnings from team roping, tie-down and breakaway roping. She edged Annette Stahl for the all-around title. Stahl from Salt Flat, Texas, finished with $6,645 on the year in the all-around race competing on both ends of the team roping.

Crawford teamed with Stahl to capture the world title in the team roping heading category. The 2023 team roping title bumps Crawford’s total in team roping to four titles now. Crawford finished the year with $16,845 to outdistance Bailey Gubert who finished as the reserve world champion with $13,874.

            Stahl also picked up her fourth world title on the heeling side. She finished the year with $14,425 while reigning world champion Lorraine Moreno was second with $14,223.

            Crawford finished the trifecta winning the tie-down roping world title with $2,388 surpassing Audrey Cunningham with $2,102. Crawford also won the average title in the tie-down roping in Waco with a total time of 44.0 seconds on three head. She now has six world titles in tie-down roping alone.

            WPRA barrel racing action will conclude the WPRA World Finals on Sunday morning.

Results:

Card race: First round: 1. Ashley Castleberry, 15.745 seconds, $3,255; 2. Abby Phillips, 15.818, $2,790; 3. Kalli McCall, 15.822, $2,325; 4. Skyla Peters, 15.849, $2,015; 5. Jordan Driver, 15.850, $1,550; 6. Paige Dove, 15.870, $1,240; 7. Preslie Reid, 15.950, $930; 8. Liz Pinkston, 15.952, $620; 9. Shelley Morgan, 15.988, $465; 10. Cheyenne Wimberley, 16.015, $310.

Second round: 1. Skyla Peters, 15.708 seconds, $3,254; 2. Kassie Mowry, 15.710, $2,790; 3. Jymmy Kay Cox, 15.772, $2,325; 4. Abby Phillips, 15.774, $2,015; 5. Millie Marquart, 15.809, $1,550; 6. Kaiden Ayres, 15.847, $1,240; 7. Wenda Johnson, 15.851, $930; 8. Ari-Anna Flynn, 15.886, $620; 9. Sadie Miller, 15.905, $465; 10. Cheyenne Wimberley, 15.931, $310/

Permit race: First round: 1. Avery Ledesma, 15.962 seconds, $758; 2. Ashton Padon, 16.242, $659; 3. Nisse Flaten, 16.318, $560; 4. Shelby Vick, 16.382, $461; 5. Catherine Rhodus, 16.396, $362; 6. Alissa Flores, 16.437, $264; 7. Sarina Landers, 16.450, $165; 8. Emily Ward, 16.461, $66.

Second round: 1. Emma Ricke, 16.223, $758; 2. Catherine Rhodus, 16.230, $659; 3. Emily Ward, 16.264, $560; 4. Jancie Shelburne, 16.302, $461; 5. Sarina Landers, 16.321, $362; 6. Ashton Padon, 16.457, $264; 7. Casi Guess, 16.519, $165; 8. Sara Redden, 16.540, $66.

Breakaway Roping

First round: 1. Danielle Lowman, Gilbert, AZ, 1.9 seconds, $2,659; 2. (tie) Kelsie Domer, Dublin, TX, Willow Wilson, Baggs, WY and MaryBeth Beam, Poetry, TX, 2.0, $1,941 each; 5. (tie) TiAda Gray, Portales, NM, Beau Peterson, Council Grove, KS and Shelby Boisjoli, 2.1, $1,013 each; 8. (tie) Amber Hutto, North Zulch, TX, Abbie Williams, Blossom, TX, Cloey Lee Ketchum, Gladewater, TX, Kinlie Brennise, Craig, CO, Bailey Bates, Tohatchi, NM, Bradi Good, Abilene, TX, Hope Thompson, Abilene, TX, Taylor Hanchey, Carmine, TX and Sarah Angelone, Lipan, TX, 2.3, $127 each.

Second round: 1. (tie) Jackie Crawford, Stephenville, TX and Cadee Williams, Weatherford, TX, 2.0 seconds, $2,469 each; 3. (tie) Sarah Angelone, Lipan, TX, Britta Strain, Davie, FL, and Tayler Felton, Fallon, NV, 2.1, $1,604 each; 6. (tie) Cheyanne McCartney, Kingston, OK, Jordan Jo Hollabaugh, Springtown, TX, MaryBeth Beam, Poetry, TX, Brooke Eddy, Rockwall, TX and Rylie Smith, Whitsett, TX, 2.2, $582.

Third round: 1. Brighton Bauman, Burleson, TX, 1.6 seconds, $2,659; 2. Taylor Munsell, Alva, OK, $1.8, $2,279; 3. (tie) Martha Angelone, Stephenville, TX, and Quincy Sullivan, Peralta, NM, 2.0, $1,773; 5. (tie) Lindsei Harvey, Sequin, TX and Jessie Armstrong, Big Valley, AB, 2.1, $1,140; 7. (tie) Faith John, Punta Gorda, FL, Nicole Baggarley, Las Cruces, NM, Murphy Gaasch, Dillon, MT, Amy Wilson, Stephenville, TX, Angie Green, Huntsville, TX and Willow Wilson, Baggs, WY, 2.2, $317 each.

Average: 1. Willow Wilson, 6.5 seconds, $3,988; 2. Bradi Good, Abilene, TX, 7.1, $3,419; 3. Jordan Jo Hollabaugh, Springtown, TX, 7.3, $2,849; 4. Sarah Angelone, Lipan, TX, 7.6, $2,469; 5. Addee Carder, Miami, OK, 8.0, $1,899; 6. Cassidy Boggs, Stephenville, TX, 8.3, $1,519; 7. Alex Loiselle, Decatur, TX, 8.4, $1,140; 8. Abbie Williams, Blossom, TX, 8.6, $760; 9. Donelle Jones, Bryan, TX, 9.1, $570; 10. Cheyanne McCartney, Kingston, OK, 9.2, $380.

Team roping

First round: 1. Jackie Crawford, Stephenville, TX/Annette Stahl, Salt Flat, TX, 6.5 seconds, $842 each; 2. Kenzie Kelton, Mayer, AZ/Danielle Lowman, Gilbert, AZ, 6.6, $732; 3. Beverly Robbins, Muscle Shoals, AL/Jessy Remsburg, Muscle Shoals, AL, 7.2, $622; 4. Annette Stahl, Salt Flat, TX/ Kennlee Tate, Shallowater, TX, 7.5; 5. (tie) Kaydence Crawford, Stephenville, TX/ Amanda Coleman, Stephenville, TX, and Kayelen Helton, Stephenville, TX/Lorraine Moreno, Mathis, TX, 7.8, $348 each; 7. Rylie Smith, Whitsett, TX/Hope Thompson, Abilene, TX, 8.2, $183; 8. Bailey Gubert, Hungerford, TX/Quincy Sullivan, Peralta, NM, 8.5, $73.

Second round: 1. Kenzie Kelton, Mayer, AZ/Danielle Lowman, Gilbert, AZ, 6.6 seconds, $842 each; 2. Annette Stahl, Salt Flat, TX/Kennlee Tate, Shallowater, TX, 7.0, $732; 3. Jackie Crawford, Stephenville, TX/Annette Stahl, Salt Flat, TX; 4. Cassidy Boggs, Stephenville, TX/Rylie Smith, Whitsett, TX, 7.6, $513; 5. (tie) Hope Thompson, Abilene, TX/Lari Dee Guy, Abilene, TX and Rylea Fabrizo, Stephenville, TX/Debbie Fabrizio, Pueblo, CO, 7.8, $348; 7. Jessy Remsburg, Muscle Shoals, AL/Sarah Angelone, Lipan, TX, 8.1, $183; 8. Kayelen Helton, Stephenville, TX/Lorraine Moreno, Mathis, TX, 8.2, $73.

Third round: 1. Annette Stahl, Salt Flat, TX/Kennlee Tate, Shallowater, TX, 6.2 seconds, $842 each; 2. Jackie Crawford, Stephenville, TX/Annette Stahl, Salt Flat, TX, 7.0, $732; 3. Sarah Angelone, Lipan, TX/Martha Angelone, Stephenville, TX, 7.7, $622; 4. Bailey Gubert, Hungerford, TX/Quincy Sullivan, Peralta, NM, 8.2 $513; 5. Cheyenne Britain, Stephenville, TX/Rylie Smith, Whitsett, TX, 8.4, $403; 6. Cassidy Boggs, Stephenville, TX/Rylie Smith, Whitsett, TX, 11.4, $293; 7. Rylie Smith, Whitsett, TX/Hope Thompson, Abilene, TX, 11.9, $183; 8. Kayelen Helton, Stephenville, TX/Lorraine Moreno, Mathis, TX, 12.4, $73.

Average: 1. Annette Stahl/Kennlee Tate, 20.7 seconds on three head, $1,263 each; 2. Jackie Crawford/Annette Stahl, 20.8, $1,098; 3. Kenzie Kelton/Danielle Lowman, 25.9, $934; 4. Kayelen Helton/Lorraine Moreno, 28.4, $769; 5. Cassidy Boggs/Rylie Smith, 31.1, $604; 6. Rylie Smith/Hope Thompson, 33.7, $439; 7. Sarah Angelone/Martha Angelone, 34.6, $275; 8. Jennifer Reichert/Patti McCutchen, 64.0, $110.

Tie-down Roping

First round: 1. Sawyer Gilbert, Buffalo, SD, 12.6 seconds, $801; 2. Jackie Crawford, Stephenville, TX, 13.8, $663; 3. Kodi Hansen, Cimarron, KS, 14.2, $525; 4. Kelsie Domer, Dublin, TX, 16.2, $387; 5. Amanda Coleman, Stephenville, TX, 16.5, $249; 6. Jordan Jo Hollabaugh, Springtown, TX, 17.3, $138.

Second round: 1. KC-Gail Churchill, Waco, TX, 11.1 seconds, $801; 2. Harley Pryor, Moore Haven, FL, 12.0, $663; 3. Jackie Crawford, Stephenville, TX, 14.8, $525; 4. Bailey Gubert, Hungerford, TX, 15.4, $387; 5. Jordan Jo Hollabaugh, Springtown, TX, 17.3, $249; 6. Audrey Cunningham, Luling, TX, 17.5, $138.

Third round: 1. Audrey Cunningham, Luling, TX, 11.8 seconds, $801; 2. Jordan Jo Hollabaugh, Springtown, TX, 12.7, $663; 3. Bailey Gubert, Hungerford, TX, 13.1, $525; 4. Harley Pryor, Moore Haven, FL, 13.9, $387; 5. (tie) Gracie Gambino, Lindale, TX and Taylor Munsell, Alva, OK, 15.1, $193 each.

Average: 1. Jackie Crawford, Stephenville, TX, 44.0 seconds on three head, $1,201; 2. Jordan Jo Hollabaugh, Springtown, 44.0 seconds on three, $994; 3. Harley Pryor, Moore Haven, FL, 56.3, $787; 4. Taylor Munsell, Alva, OK, 59.2, $580; 5. Bailey Gubert, Hungerford, TX, 60.8, $373; 6. Quincy Sullivan, Peralta, NM, 65.7, $207.

Breakaway Permit Race:

First round: 1. Kolby Boyett, Grove, OK, 3.1 seconds, $1,025; 2. Kassidy Albright, Martin, TX, 3.3, $769; 3. Faith John, Punta Gorda, FL, 3.7, $513; 4. Jennifer Reichert, Van Buren, AR, 3.8, $256.

Second round: 1. Jancie Shelburne, Durant, OK, 2.3, $1,025; 2. Shiloh Napp, Enterprise, MS, 2.6, $769; 3. Faith John, Punta Gorda, FL, 2.9, $513; 4. Kolby Boyett, Grove, OK, 3.2, $256.

Castleberry Wins First Round of Card Holder Race at WPRA World Finals

Ann Bleiker

WACO, TEXAS – A featured event at the WPRA World Finals is the card holder race. Money won counts toward 2024 ProRodeo World Standings and is a great way to kickoff the Road to the NFR.

Ashley Castleberry won the first round out of close to 200 runners with a time of 15.745 seconds. She added $3,255 to her 2024 standings and will be looking to add to that during the second round Saturday morning at 11:30 a.m. CT at Extraco Event Center. Abby Phillips took second in 15.818 seconds and Kalli McCall, who won the 2023 WPRA Resistol Rookie Title was third in 15.822.

            Another event at this weekend’s world finals is the permit only race and Avery Ledesma won the opening round in a time of 15.962 pocketing $758.

            World champions will be crowned in team roping, tie-down and all-around on Saturday evening. In celebration of the 75^th year of the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association, tie-down roping world champions from the past that are in town competing this weekend were honored prior to the start of Friday night’s performance.

            Hometown cowgirl KC-Gail Churchill won the second round of tie-down roping with a time of 11.1 seconds adding $801 to her banking account. Five-time tie-down roping champion Jackie Crawford leads the average in a time of 14.8 seconds on two after finishing second and third, respectively in the first two rounds. Jordan Jo Hollabaugh is second in the average in a time of 34.6 seconds.

            Crawford and Cadee Williams split the win in the breakaway roping in the second round with times of 2.0 seconds. Each added $2,469 to their world finals earnings. MaryBeth Beam leads the average on two in a time of 4.2 seconds, while Willow Wilson is second  with 4.3 and reigning all-around champion Sarah Angelone is third in 4.4 seconds.

Kenzie Kelton and Danielle Lowman teamed up in Waco to win the second round in a time of 6.6 seconds. The Arizona cowgirls outdistanced the Texans by four-tenths of a second. Annette Stahl and Kennlee Tate was second in the round in 7.0 seconds. Kelton and Lowman lead the average with a total time of 13.2 seconds on two, while Crawford and Stahl are second in 13.8 seconds.

            Final round roping action will begin at 8 a.m. CT on Saturday with slack followed by the performance at 2 p.m. featuring the top 20 in the average. All World Finals action is being live streamed at www.wpra.com.

Results:

Card race: 1. Ashley Castleberry, 15.745 seconds, $3,255; 2. Abby Phillips, 15.818, $2,790; 3. Kalli McCall, 15.822, $2,325; 4. Skyla Peters, 15.849, $2,015; 5. Jordan Driver, 15.850, $1,550; 6. Paige Dove, 15.870, $1,240; 7. Preslie Reid, 15.950, $930; 8. Liz Pinkston, 15.952, $620; 9. Shelley Morgan, 15.988, $465; 10. Cheyenne Wimberley, 16.015, $310.

Permit race: 1. Avery Ledesma, 15.962 seconds, $758; 2. Ashton Padon, 16.242, $659; 3. Nisse Flaten, 16.318, $560; 4. Shelby Vick, 16.382, $461; 5. Catherine Rhodus, 16.396, $362; 6. Alissa Flores, 16.437, $264; 7. Sarina Landers, 16.450, $165; 8. Emily Ward, 16.461, $66.

Breakaway Roping

First round: 1. Danielle Lowman, Gilbert, AZ, 1.9 seconds, $2,659; 2. (tie) Kelsie Domer, Dublin, TX, Willow Wilson, Baggs, WY and MaryBeth Beam, Poetry, TX, 2.0, $1,941 each; 5. (tie) TiAda Gray, Portales, NM, Beau Peterson, Council Grove, KS and Shelby Boisjoli, 2.1, $1,013 each; 8. (tie) Amber Hutto, North Zulch, TX, Abbie Williams, Blossom, TX, Cloey Lee Ketchum, Gladewater, TX, Kinlie Brennise, Craig, CO, Bailey Bates, Tohatchi, NM, Bradi Good, Abilene, TX, Hope Thompson, Abilene, TX, Taylor Hanchey, Carmine, TX and Sarah Angelone, Lipan, TX, 2.3, $127 each.

Second round: 1. (tie) Jackie Crawford, Stephenville, TX and Cadee Williams, Weatherford, TX, 2.0 seconds, $2,469 each; 3. (tie) Sarah Angelone, Lipan, TX, Britta Strain, Davie, FL, and Tayler Felton, Fallon, NV, 2.1, $1,604 each; 6. (tie) Cheyanne McCartney, Kingston, OK, Jordan Jo Hollabaugh, Springtown, TX, MaryBeth Beam, Poetry, TX, Brooke Eddy, Rockwall, TX and Rylie Smith, Whitsett, TX, 2.2, $582.

Average leaders: 1. MaryBeth Beam, 4.2 seconds on two; 2. Willow Wilson, 4.3, Sarah Angelone, 4.4: 4. (tie) Cheyanne McCartney and Rylie Smith, 4.6.

Team roping

First round: 1. Jackie Crawford, Stephenville, TX/Annette Stahl, Salt Flat, TX, 6.5 seconds, $842 each; 2. Kenzie Kelton, Mayer, AZ/Danielle Lowman, Gilbert, AZ, 6.6, $732; 3. Beverly Robbins, Muscle Shoals, AL/Jessy Remsburg, Muscle Shoals, AL, 7.2, $622; 4. Annette Stahl, Salt Flat, TX/ Kennlee Tate, Shallowater, TX, 7.5; 5. (tie) Kaydence Crawford, Stephenville, TX/ Amanda Coleman, Stephenville, TX, and Kayelen Helton, Stephenville, TX/Lorraine Moreno, Mathis, TX, 7.8, $348 each; 7. Rylie Smith, Whitsett, TX/Hope Thompson, Abilene, TX, 8.2, $183; 8. Bailey Gubert, Hungerford, TX/Quincy Sullivan, Peralta, NM, 8.5, $73.

Second round: 1. Kenzie Kelton, Mayer, AZ/Danielle Lowman, Gilbert, AZ, 6.6 seconds, $842 each; 2. Annette Stahl, Salt Flat, TX/Kennlee Tate, Shallowater, TX, 7.0, $732; 3. Jackie Crawford, Stephenville, TX/Annette Stahl, Salt Flat, TX; 4. Cassidy Boggs, Stephenville, TX/Rylie Smith, Whitsett, TX, 7.6, $513; 5. (tie) Hope Thompson, Abilene, TX/Lari Dee Guy, Abilene, TX and Rylea Fabrizo, Stephenville, TX/Debbie Fabrizio, Pueblo, CO, 7.8, $348; 7. Jessy Remsburg, Muscle Shoals, AL/Sarah Angelone, Lipan, TX, 8.1, $183; 8. Kayelen Helton, Stephenville, TX/Lorraine Moreno, Mathis, TX, 8.2, $73.

Average leaders: 1. Kenzie Kelton/Danielle Lowman, 13.2 seconds on two; 2. Jackie Crawford/Annette Stahl, 13.8; 3. Annette Stahl/Kennlee Tate, 14.5; 4. Kayelen Helton/Lorraine Moreno, 16.0.

Tie-down Roping

First round: 1. Sawyer Gilbert, Buffalo, SD, 12.6 seconds, $801; 2. Jackie Crawford, Stephenville, TX, 13.8, $663; 3. Kodi Hansen, Cimarron, KS, 14.2, $525; 4. Kelsie Domer, Dublin, TX, 16.2, $387; 5. Amanda Coleman, Stephenville, TX, 16.5, $249; 6. Jordan Jo Hollabaugh, Springtown, TX, 17.3, $138.

Second round: 1. KC-Gail Churchill, Waco, TX, 11.1 seconds, $801; 2. Harley Pryor, Moore Haven, FL, 12.0, $663; 3. Jackie Crawford, Stephenville, TX, 14.8, $525; 4. Bailey Gubert, Hungerford, TX, 15.4, $387; 5. Jordan Jo Hollabaugh, Springtown, TX, 17.3, $249; 6. Audrey Cunningham, Luling, TX, 17.5, $138.

Average leaders: 1. Jackie Crawford, 28.6 seconds on two; 2. Jordan Jo Hollabaugh, 34.6; 3. Amanda Coleman, 36.8; 4. Bailey Bates, 38.6

Breakaway Permit Race:

First round: 1. Kolby Boyett, Grove, OK, 3.1 seconds, $1,025; 2. Kassidy Albright, Martin, TX, 3.3, $769; 3. Faith John, Punta Gorda, FL, 3.7, $513; 4. Jennifer Reichert, Van Buren, AR, 3.8, $256.

Second round: 1. Jancie Shelburne, Durant, OK, 2.3, $1,025; 2. Shiloh Napp, Enterprise, MS, 2.6, $769; 3. Faith John, Punta Gorda, FL, 2.9, $513; 4. Kolby Boyett, Grove, OK, 3.2, $256.

Average leaders: 1. Kolby Boyett, 6.3 seconds on two; 2. (tie) Kassidy Albright and Faith John, 6.6; 4. Jennifer Reichert, Van Buren, AR, 16.8.

2023 WPRA World Finals Opens with First Round of Roping

Ann Bleiker

WACO, TEXAS – The 2023 WPRA World Finals in Waco, Texas, got underway Thursday with the first of three rounds of roping action.

World champions will be crowned in team roping, tie-down and all-around on Saturday evening. In celebration of the 75^th year of the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association, team roping world champions from the past that are in town competing this weekend were honored prior to the start of Thursday night’s performance.

Two of the nine introduced were Jackie Crawford, who has won three heading world titles and Annette Stahl, also a three-time world champion on the heeling side showed the fans they still have what it takes for more world titles. Crawford and Stahl teamed up to take round one in a time of 6.5 seconds out of a total of 34 teams on hand this weekend in Waco. They pocketed $842 each. In addition to leading the way in the heeling, Stahl also competed as a header teaming up with Kennlee Tate to finish fourth in the round in a time of 7.5 seconds.

Kenzie Kelton and Danielle Lowman were a close second with a run of 6.6 seconds. Beverly Robbins and Jessy Remsburg, who picked up WPRA team roping world tiles in 2019 and 2016, respectively took third in a time of 7.2 seconds.

With the round win, Crawford moved to first in the world standings ahead of Bailey Gubert by over $650. Stahl trails the reigning world champion Lorraine Moreno on the heeling side with two more rounds left to go.

            Crawford switched horses and came back in the tie-down roping finishing second behind Sawyer Gilbert, who won the WPRA breakaway roping world title in 2021. Crawford stopped the clock in 13.8 seconds, while Gilbert won the round in a quick 12.6. Of Crawford’s 20 world titles a total of five of them have come in tie-down roping.

            While the world title in the breakaway roping won’t be handed out until December 6 in Las Vegas, the best in the world brought their A-game to Waco. Danielle Lowman of Gilbert, Arizona, who is making her second appearance at the National Finals Breakaway roping next month won the first round in a quick 1.9 seconds. It was a logjam for second with three stopping the clock in 2.0 seconds. Kelsie Domer, who will be joining Lowman in Las Vegas, was second along with Willow Wilson, and MaryBeth Beam.

            Second round action will begin at 1 p.m. CT on Friday with slack followed by the performance at 7 p.m. All roping action is being live streamed at www.wpra.com.

            Barrel racing action will kick the day off on Friday at 8 a.m. CT with the Derby and Futurity division followed by permit only race and the card holder race. All action will be live streamed. Visit www.wpra.com for the link.

Breakaway Roping

First round: 1. Danielle Lowman, Gilbert, AZ, 1.9 seconds, $2,659; 2. (tie) Kelsie Domer, Dublin, TX, Willow Wilson, Baggs, WY and MaryBeth Beam, Poetry, TX, 2.0, $1,941 each; 5. (tie) TiAda Gray, Portales, NM, Beau Peterson, Council Grove, KS and Shelby Boisjoli, 2.1, $1,013 each; 8. (tie) Amber Hutto, North Zulch, TX, Abbie Williams, Blossom, TX, Cloey Lee Ketchum, Gladewater, TX, Kinlie Brennise, Craig, CO, Bailey Bates, Tohatchi, NM, Bradi Good, Abilene, TX, Hope Thompson, Abilene, TX, Taylor Hanchey, Carmine, TX and Sarah Angelone, Lipan, TX, 2.3, $127 each.

Team roping

First round: 1. Jackie Crawford, Stephenville, TX/Annette Stahl, Salt Flat, TX, 6.5 seconds, $842 each; 2. Kenzie Kelton, Mayer, AZ/Danielle Lowman, Gilbert, AZ, 6.6, $732; 3. Beverly Robbins, Muscle Shoals, AL/Jessy Remsburg, Muscle Shoals, AL, 7.2, $622; 4. Annette Stahl, Salt Flat, TX/ Kennlee Tate, Shallowater, TX, 7.5; 5. (tie) Kaydence Crawford, Stephenville, TX/ Amanda Coleman, Stephenville, TX, and Kayelen Helton, Stephenville, TX/Lorraine Moreno, Mathis, TX, 7.8, $348 each; 7. Rylie Smith, Whitsett, TX/Hope Thompson, Abilene, TX, 8.2, $183; 8. Bailey Gubert, Hungerford, TX/Quincy Sullivan, Peralta, NM, 8.5, $73.

Tie-down Roping

First round: 1. Sawyer Gilbert, Buffalo, SD, 12.6 seconds, $801; 2. Jackie Crawford, Stephenville, TX, 13.8, $663; 3. Kodi Hansen, Cimarron, KS, 14.2, $525; 4. Kelsie Domer, Dublin, TX, 16.2, $387; 5. Amanda Coleman, Stephenville, TX, 16.5, $249; 6. Jordan Jo Hollabaugh, Springtown, TX, 17.3, $138.

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