![](https://www.wpra.com/wp-content/uploads/Smith-Jimmie-bioweb.jpg)
Jimmie Smith
![Jimmie-Smith---Rookie-of-the-Year](https://www.wpra.com/wp-content/uploads/Jimmie-Smith-Rookie-of-the-Year.jpg)
Dream Becomes Reality
By Jimmie Smith
Photo by Kenneth Springer
A dream is just a dream, and a goal is just a dream until you make it a reality.
In 2018, my goal was to win the WPRA Resistol Rookie of the Year.
![](https://www.wpra.com/wp-content/uploads/KS1_1384-Jimmie-Smith-by-Kent-Soule.jpg)
Jimmie Smith
Photo by Kent Soule
In 2018, my goal was to win the WPRA Resistol Rookie of the Year.
Without knowledge of the rodeo road, I made it hard on myself and at the end of July I maybe had $10,000 won. Most people would laugh at you if you still told them “I want to win Rookie” with that amount won in July.
![](https://www.wpra.com/wp-content/uploads/Jimmie-Smith-Rookie-of-the-Year.jpg)
Jimmie Smith
Photo by Kenneth Springer
Once in the northwest, Lena On The Rocks found her winning streak and she was absolutely unstoppable. I knew if I did my job, she was going to win a check and even though we didn’t win first every time, we placed everywhere. I placed 3rd at Ellensburg securing our spot for the Tour Finale in Puyallup, Washington, which at the time I had absolutely no idea what a big deal that rodeo was, I was just there to have fun!
I will never forget the day of the shootout round, after the team roping I looked over at Tess, my hauling partner and best friend, and said “oh my gosh they’re giving buckles.” No longer than an hour later, I won one of those legendary Puyallup buckles and clinched the Rookie of the Year title.
Looking back, I wish we could be as naive as we were back then, we were just there to ride our horse and have fun! I didn’t let that buckle out of my sight for the whole drive back to Texas.
As much as I love my Puyallup buckle, that’s not the one that tells the story. My 2018 Resistol Rookie of the Year buckle is what tells my story. Every time I put it on, I am reminded of what hard work and dedication can accomplish. My not giving up that summer is why I get to wear my rookie buckle.
To this day I wear it, because it is still a reminder, “Let us not become weary in doing good for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” Galatians 6:9.
I wish my great mare Lena could wear the buckle with me, because truly her heart is what got us through the summer, I had no back-up horse it was just me and Lena having fun!
WPRA Members
We want to hear about your most memorable buckle and the horse behind it all. Submit your story for a chance to be featured in the WPRA’s monthly publications as well as WPRA.com and social media channels. If your most memorable buckle is made by Montana Silversmiths, you’ll also receive a Custom Talking Feather necklace from Montana Silversmiths, engraved with your horse’s name on it to wear close to your heart.
Please submit the following for your chance to be featured:
• Your story – limit of 500 words
• Photo of your Montana Silversmiths buckle
• Action photo of you and your horse
LATEST NEWS
![Happy Father’s Day—Goods Rely on Strong Father-Daughter Connection All The Way to Winner’s Circle](https://www.wpra.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_7818-2-home.jpg)
Happy Father’s Day—Goods Rely on Strong Father-Daughter Connection All The Way to Winner’s Circle
Nominations for Outstanding Committee Woman of the YearFather’s Day Goods Rely on Strong Father-Daughter Connection All The Way to Winner’s Circle Ted Harbin When his daughter made her first appearance at the Wrangler National Finals Breakaway Roping presented by...
![SmartPak Joins WPRA Family of Partners Supporting Women in Rodeo](https://www.wpra.com/wp-content/uploads/SmartPak.jpg)
SmartPak Joins WPRA Family of Partners Supporting Women in Rodeo
Nominations for Outstanding Committee Woman of the Year SmartPak Joins WPRA Family of Partners Supporting Women in Rodeo By Ann Bleiker COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO – SmartPak was founded in 1999 and is now bringing their smarts to power healthy horses and happy riders...
![Happy Mother’s Day—Experiencing Motherhood for First Time](https://www.wpra.com/wp-content/uploads/mothers-day.jpg)
Happy Mother’s Day—Experiencing Motherhood for First Time
Nominations for Outstanding Committee Woman of the YearHappy Mother’s Day Experiencing Motherhood for First Time By Kristen M. White Any parent can tell you there’s a lot of adjusting to do when you add a baby to the family. And when you add in the chaotic nature of...
![Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo—Rule and Valor Return to Winner’s Circle After Time Off](https://www.wpra.com/wp-content/uploads/Guymon-24-8-696-dona-kay-rule-16-99-sec.jpg)
Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo—Rule and Valor Return to Winner’s Circle After Time Off
Nominations for Outstanding Committee Woman of the YearGuymon Pioneer Days Rodeo Rule and Valor Return to Winner’s Circle After Time Off By Ted Harbin When High Valor went down on that day in Calgary last July, Dona Kay Rule didn’t know the extent of his injuries. “We...
![Pneu-Dart Women in Ranching—Shali and Phy Lord’s Fifth Generation Colorado Cattle Ranch](https://www.wpra.com/wp-content/uploads/jst-shalilord-family-portrait-01.jpg)
Pneu-Dart Women in Ranching—Shali and Phy Lord’s Fifth Generation Colorado Cattle Ranch
Nominations for Outstanding Committee Woman of the YearPneu-Dart Women in Ranching Shali and Phy Lord’s Fifth Generation Colorado Cattle Ranch By Allie Bohus Two-time Wrangler NFR barrel racing qualifier Shali Lord and husband Phy run a commercial Red Angus Cattle...
![San Angelo Rodeo—Eddy Etches Name in Record Books](https://www.wpra.com/wp-content/uploads/Brooke-Eddy-T16_0542-resized.jpg)
San Angelo Rodeo—Eddy Etches Name in Record Books
Nominations for Outstanding Committee Woman of the YearSan Angelo Rodeo Eddy Etches Name in Record Books By Ted Harbin Brooke Eddy has attached her name to the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo’s record books. Eddy, a third-year WPRA member, placed in two of three...
(719) 447-4627
(719) 447-4631 (fax)
431 South Cascade
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
DIRECTIONS
(719) 447-4627 | (719) 447-4631 (fax)
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BARREL RACING — Where the Elite Compete®
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
BARREL RACING
Where the Elite Compete®