America’s Horse, December 17, 2008 – As the 50th annual Wrangler National Finals Rodeo came to a close, rodeo fans awarded their favorite athletes with a little extra Christmas cash by voting them the Fort Dodge Champion American Quarter Horses of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
For the second year, the American Quarter Horse Association and corporate partner Fort Dodge Animal Health teamed up to give fans a unique opportunity to interact online and vote for their favorite American Quarter Horses and the cowboys and cowgirls who rode them at this year’s Wrangler NFR.
Fort Dodge contributed $25,000 in prize money, awarding $2,500 to the horse owner and $2,500 to the competitor receiving the most online votes in each timed event.Rodeo enthusiasts cast votes in steer wrestling, heading, heeling, tie-down roping and barrel racing. Only contestants riding registered American Quarter Horses and the owners of those horses were eligible to win the added money.
Congratulations to the 2008 Fort Dodge Champion American Quarter Horses of the Wrangler NFR.
Steer Wrestling
This year’s fan favorite in steer wrestling was RTR Little Willy, a 22-year-old brown American Quarter Horse gelding owned by Gregory Cassidy of Donalda, Alberta,Canada. RTR Little Willy carried three riders in each steer wrestling go-round.
The fans’ favorite competitor, Luke Branquinho, rode RTR Little Willy to win the average in steer wrestling at the Wrangler NFR. The Los Alamos, California, cowboy finished the year as the world champion and set a world record for earnings in steer wrestling with $242,018.
Heading
In heading, Wranglers Lil Chism was the fan favorite and earned the Wrangler NFR bonus for owner Garrett Tonozzi of Fruita, Colorado. Garrett rode the 16-year-old sorrel American Quarter Horse gelding in eight rounds of heading.
Trevor Brazile received the most fan votes and is the 2008 Fort Dodge fan favorite in heading. Trevor rode American Quarter Horses Lite My Dynamite and Playboys Tough Co at this year’s Wrangler NFR. Trevor also won the all-around title at the 2008 Finals.
Heeling
In heeling, the team of Freckles Taz and Kinney Harrell of San Angelo, Texas, won both the horse and rider fan favorite awards to earn a $5,000 bonus. Freckles Taz is a 10-year-old bay American Quarter Horse gelding. Kinney roped off of Freckles Taz in each of the eight rounds.
Tie-down roping
Fans chose Hickoryote Sue, a 15-year-old bay American Quarter Horse mare, as the Fort Dodge Champion in tie-down roping. Hickoryote Sue’s owner is Stran Smith of Childress, Texas, who finished first in the final world standings in tie-down.
On the competitor side, 18-year-old Tuf Cooper received the most fan votes. Tuf rode American Quarter Horses Little Bobo Hickory and Smokin Reata at this year’s Wrangler NFR. Tuf also won the PRCA Rookie of the Year award and finished fourth in tie-down roping.
Barrel Racing
The most popular barrel racing horse was Andele Cowboy, owned and ridden by fan favorite Maegan Reichert of Mount Pleasant, Texas. Andele Cowboy is a 9-year-old black American Quarter Horse gelding. With a 13.76 run, the team earned third place.
Maegan received a $5,000 bonus check from Fort Dodge for winning both the horse and competitor fan favorites. Maegan and Andele Cowboy are repeat winners. The duo also won the award in 2007.
AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.
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