GREAT LAKES NEWS • August 8 , 2011. The Great Lakes Rodeo season has been smoking hot, both literally and figuratively speaking! Over 90 WPRA ladies from all over the country entered the Spooner, Hamel, Isanti run of rodeos! GLC cowgirl, Bobbi Jo Bohlman profited big with her consistent, fast runs pocketing over $4564 putting her in the number one spot in the GLC standings! The beautiful country, great added money and fantastic hospitality of the committees adds to the appeal of these rodeos. A great example of the generosity and creativity of the committees is the Hamel Rodeo "Unlucky Perf Awards". Julie Erkamaa, Amanda Welsh and Natalie Fehn put $100 in their pockets for running the fastest times in the Hamel perf where the least amount of money was won. It is also interesting to note that WPRA cowgirl Natalie Fehn grew up about 10 miles from Hamel and ran in the Novice race at the rodeo when she was 12 years old. It is relationships like this that make the rodeo lifestyle so special!

As we make our way into the middle of August, I want to remind everyone about the new WPRA Co-Approval in Palestine, Illinois. Some of you might remember that the Palestine Rodeo was one of the first to pay equal money to barrel racers. In recent years the Committee made the tough decision to change to a Bull Riding Event. The community has really been missing the WPRA barrel racers so they have been working hard with us to come up with a great WPRA Co-Approved Event. This event has $3000 in added money with a $70 Entry Fee (95% of the Entry Fee will be paid back). Other perks include: $100 for the fast time in each performance, a buckle to the event winner and hospitality. Entries open August 17th from 5-10pm with preference given to WPRA cards, permits and then non-cards. This event will be run like a rodeo and it will be a great opportunity to win a good paycheck, fill permits and possibly take a friend that is thinking about becoming a WPRA member. Please do consider entering as this will prove to be even a bigger and better event for our circuit in the future if we have good participation.

Pro Rodeo Circuit Awards
We have a great history of having an outstanding GLC Circuit Finals and awards program. Part of this is due to the long tradition of the top 12 girls from the pervious year helping with the awards (whether they are in contention for making the finals again or not). So far Tammy Whyte is working on Winter Blankets, my husband John and I are working on trophy halters and Terrah Hanks is working on coming up with an event sponsor.

As a Circuit fundraiser, Julie Erkamaa has done a terrific job on our Circuit Jackets. We will be finalizing the order this week (August 7-13) so please contact Julie or myself if you would like to order a jacket. This year we are selling the jackets as a fundraiser for the Circuit Awards account. We receive a small profit on the jacket sales as well as funding from sponsorships on the jackets. At this point we are not certain that the top 12 will get jackets for free as they have the last three years. It all depends on our budget. So please consider buying a jacket for yourself or as a gift. The more we sell the better advertisement for our circuit and our great sponsors.

Please contact me if you would like to be on the Circuit Awards Committee or if you have input or can help in any way.

WPRA World Finals
Please save the dates October 13-16, 2011! This event was fantastic last year and it promises to be even better this year. There is really good format and offering of events. Some of the featured WPRA events include a Card Race, Permit Race, Roping events, Futurity and Derby as well as Open Divisional jackpots. The Lincoln Event Center is an outstanding facility with great ground. We are extremely lucky to have the finals so close to our Circuit. Please be sure to check out the ground rules and entry information on the WPRA website.

Best of luck to all of you as we head into the end of the Circuit Season and remember to be thinking about the Best Ground awards and Best Rodeos awards. These awards mean a great deal to the tractor drivers and committees that work hard to have a great event. We will all have an opportunity to vote in September. For now travel safe and keep an eye on the books, there are still many terrific rodeos and a Fall full of competition opportunities!

DI

June 22 , 2011. There is a new name at the top of the GLC Circuit Standings! In this update of the GLC News we will get to know this winning cowgirl, and I will update you on some Circuit Business.

Stacie Coke and Moe (photo by Rodeoflicks)

Already this season Stacie Coke has had two big wins on two different horses! This Missouri cowgirl is a chemical sales rep, lives on a small farm in Ashland and is engaged to former GCL Team Roping Champion, Gerry Lisby. Stacie hauls with Rookie cowgirl, Lindsay Leverington from Troy, MO. "We have the same goals so it makes it a lot of fun" says Stacie. Lindsay is also top 12 in the GLC Pro Rodeo Standings.

For the last ten years, Stacie Coke has been a WPRA member off and on where she continued testing the waters to see if she had a horse good enough to go. None of them had panned out until recently. "I have been blessed by the good Lord and have two horses to run this year. Moe Mandy (Moe) is a ten year old that I bought from GLC steer wrestler, Dennis Kasier. Dennis and his son Scotty had him started real good. I hauled and finished him out. I won Madision, WI on him this year! My other horse is a 16 year old named Incredibly Lucky, Hammer. I bought him from Lynn Love who did well on him at the local jackpots around home. At his first out in Cherokee I was fortunate enough to win!"

Prior to this season, Stacie competed at open rodeos and jackpots. "In Missouri we have a wonderful amateur rodeo association. The rodeos are very competitive and close to home. It is a great way to see how your horse is doing. Once I was consistently doing well I decided to try WPRA again. I also go the NBHA shows and other jackpots with colts and for a tune up on my rodeo horses. My goal this year is to make Circuit Finals. The competition is so tough that I would be so excited to just be #12 going into the finals. Anything higher than that would be a blessing. If I qualify this year it will be my first time!"

Spokeswomen
Whether it is working on awards, recruiting new members, campaigning for WPRA barrel races with committees or helping keep things running smoothly behind the scenes; the GLC Spokeswomen are an integral part of our business. Our team of dedicated, hardworking, passionate cowgirls has made some really outstanding things happen for our Circuit. I would like to take a moment and give you a few examples of what they have made happen so far this year.

Margo Ransom was instrumental in getting the rodeo Committees at Sedalia and Carthage to have a WPRA barrel race. This is really significant, especially at Carthage as this was the first time they had a WPRA race as part of their PRCA rodeo! At Merrill, I had the pleasure of meeting two first time permit members that Lisa Novak recruited and was mentoring at their first rodeo. The future of our sport depends on new members and making the step to Pro can be intimidating. It was really cool to see Lisa and these young ladies experiencing the thrill of Professional Barrel Racing! The experienced team of Tammy Whyte, Sandi Brandli and Dee Gibbs provides a network and often times a hotline of communications with me regarding conditions at rodeos and public relations with WPRA Members, Rodeo Committees, Stock Contractors and PRCA Officials. I really appreciate their help and support in making things happen. Our 2011 WPRA Circuit Jackets are beautiful thanks to Julie Erkamaa who has a great network of sponsorships and a creative mind. Julie and I will have samples with us this weekend. Please take a look and consider ordering one to support our Circuit! And, I would like to welcome our newest Spokeswomen, Terrah Hanks. Terrah is the recipient of the 2010 Circuit Sportsmanship Award and she did an outstanding job helping with our Circuit Awards. We look forward to working with her in these capacities as well!

These "Go To" ladies do an outstanding job. Please be sure to thank them and do not be afraid to ask them questions. They are very approachable and have the experience and knowledge to answer about any question you might have.

Sandi Brandli, Mauston, WI 608.548.5513
Julie Erkamaa, East Troy, WI 414.559.2205
Dee Gibbs, Maxwell, IA 515.229.8477
Terrah Hanks, Eaton Rapids,MI 517.719.2198
Lisa Novak, Laoni, WI 715.889.2111
Margo Ransom, Paola, KS 913.636.0451
Tammy Whyte, Eau Claire, WI 715.874.6466

Rodeo Updates
Just a reminder that Mitchell, SD (July 14-17) is Co-Approved with the GLC this year, which means that earnings will count towards our GLC Circuit standings but the rodeo count will not. This is really a cool rodeo so I encourage you to consider entering!

Be sure to ride in the Grand Entry when it is requested. I was very pleased with the sportsmanship and professionalism and of our members this past weekend. Thank you for that! And finally, I know that many of you utilize facebook frequently so I have created a WPRA Great Lakes Circuit facebook group. Please join and participate with timely updates regarding our Circuit. Please keep the posts professional and informative.

Have a great season and lets pray for some sunshine! Good luck to all of you!
DI

June 10 , 2011. Rodeo season is upon us! In this segment of the GLC News I will cover some important information to be aware of as you enter and compete at our rodeos. Also be sure to carry your rulebook, review the rules and understand the new rules. Fines can add up quickly and being inefficient in entering can result in lost opportunities.

Entering
Entering can be challenging, especially when there are small or large contestant numbers. Here are some tips: do not always assume there will be 12 contestants in a performance or that there will be slack. Some rodeos traditionally run 10 in a performance and recently we have had two rodeos with no slack and more then 12 in a performance. Be sure to take advantage of the grace period, rule 10.4.1.5 There will be a ninety (90) minute time period after each closing time to allow contestant to draw out or change preferences. Adjustments must be made before the ninety (90) minutes expire, unless a further extension of time is allowed by Procom. Do not be afraid to ask questions, be sure to verify the time and date of slack, and write down your confirmation number when you enter or make changes.

Be clear when you call Procom if you need to Release or Turnout. You would be surprised to learn how many people confuse these terms. It can be a costly mistake and end up in a major rule infraction. See section 10.7.1 Releases. Read this section and know the requirements and restrictions. This season, WPRA Contestants are allowed a total of 2 releases, using more then 2 will result in a major rule infraction. Release charges are $20 per rodeo and are to be paid to the WPRA Office. Be sure to include your name, card number, and the rodeo the release charge is for. Vet or Doctor release statements are no longer required. Regarding turnouts read section 10.8 Turning Out.

Grand Entry & Other Public Relations
When it is requested that contestants ride in Grand Entry please do your best to accommodate the request. If you cannot ride your horse please check with the rodeo secretary and offer to ride pivot or ask to ride one of the stock contractor's horses. At the first performance at Cherokee zero barrel racers rode in the grand entry. The committee was very disappointed. This makes it difficult when tough decisions have to be made regarding cutting expenses and possibly events or added money. Please do your best to be professional, gracious and fan friendly at the rodeos. Also be sure to thank committee members and volunteers. We receive great hospitality at many of the GLC rodeos; a smile and a thank you go a long way!

Many of our rodeos continue to support TETWP and do an outstanding job of raising money for the cause. Don't forget to pack your pink shirt and show your support! Merrill, WI will kick it off with TETWP night at their Saturday performance!

News from Hamel
The Hamel Rodeo Committee is extremely generous and supportive of the WPRA barrel racers. In addition to the great added money, hospitality and the $100 Bonus to the Average Winner at the Circuit Finals; for the second consecutive year Hamel is instituting the "Unlucky Perf Awards" program. This program is to help soften the blow of running in a performance where the least amount of money was won. Here is how it works: from the performance where the least amount of money is won, the top 3 ladies who did not win a check will receive $100 each. Regarding slack, if there are 10 or more recorded times slack will be considered a performance."

Please take a moment and give a special thank you to the many hard working folks at the Hamel Rodeo. What a wonderful Committee with a great history of supporting the WPRA!

GLC Circuit Jacket
Julie Erkamaa has done another outstanding job of working with GLC sponsors and putting together a great 2011 GLC Circuit Jacket. The jackets are the perfect weight for this time of year and also for under a heavy coat in the winter. The 2011 jacket is a great color and all of the embroidery is classy and tasteful. Please consider ordering a jacket to support our Rodeo Circuit Awards program. Julie and I will be taking orders.

GLC Circuit Awards
This is the perfect time to start working towards our goals. This season there are many opportunities. Please contact me if you would like to be involved. In the past we have had some outstanding Circuit awards for the Circuit Rodeo Qualifiers. If there are GLC members that would like to work on similar programs for the Ropers and Divisional standings, I would love to get that started now.

Click here for the June Great Lakes Circuit Newsletter.

I would like to wish you all safe travels and the best of luck. Please do not hesitate to call or text me. I would also like to thank all of you for your support and kind words through out the year.
Donna

April 20, 2011. What you can get for a GLC Jacket? I received an email stating that there were a few GLC jackets still available and I wanted a nice jacket for winter. The size I needed belonged to Lisa Becker (hers did not fit) so I texted Lisa about buying her jacket. I told her that I wanted the jacket but was waiting on a check. One thing led to another and I jokingly said "unless you want to trade for a horse?" She asked what I had so I told her about my mare. After texting a lot and learning about her stallion, Vals Gone Streaking, I thought hmmm nice cross! As a result, we both decided to trade! I made a new friend and can't wait to see what the baby looks like! And this even gets better…. In our recent conversations I said I love the saddle I have but it is heavy and I think I need a lighter one. Just the other day, she texted me to see if I had found a saddle yet. We got to talking again and worked out a saddle trade too!

By Brenda Schmidt

April 15, 2011. New Season with New Opportunities! Carthage, Missouri s is now a PRCA/WPRA approved rodeo for June 17-18th! For the past three years the Carthage Saddle Club has had a PRCA Rodeo with an open barrel race. This year the Committee has opted to have a WPRA race with a Local race to follow. Margo Ransom was able to meet with the Committee to discuss the advantages of having a WPRA race with their PRCA Rodeo. Margo says, "I was extremely impressed with their questions and concerns. Each and every member in attendance showed me that they wanted it make sure everything possible was being done to make the rodeo a great event for everyone from spectators to contestants. They have a wonderful arena that has sandy ground. The committee will be working hard to make sure the ground is really fast and safe. We spent quite a bit of time discussing ground preparation and I am sure conditions will be excellent for all the rodeo contestants." The Carthage Saddle Club is excited and pleased to be having the Pro girls run at their rodeo. The rodeo will be co-approved with the Southeastern and Prairie Circuits. We are hoping to have a lot of entries from all three circuits. Please spread the word and support the Carthage Rodeo so that we can continue to be a part of this rodeo for many years to come!

Do not overlook the opportunity to run at a great Co-Approval September 2-4, 2011. I am pleased to announce that Palestine, Illinois will be home to a $2500 added WPRA C0-Approval. The Committee is working hard to attract the WPRA barrel racers to their Annual NFPB! Some of our members may remember that Palestine was home to one of the premiere rodeos in our Circuit. This Committee was one of the first to offer equal added money to the WPRA barrel racers. Unfortunately, over the last few years the committee has struggled with getting enough rough stock contestants so they made the tough decision to change the event to a Bull Riding. Since then the spectators and the committee have felt the absence of the barrel racers. In an attempt to promote and expand the event we have partnered to include the WPRA through our Co-Approvals. "We are really looking forward to having the WPRA ladies as part of this event and it is our hope that this will be the beginning of even a bigger venue in the future,'' says Clint Knoblett, coordinator Pioneer City Bulls and Barrels. Some of the contestant incentives include $2500 added money plus 95% of each entry fee, a trophy buckle to the winner, $100 for the fast time in each performance and of course great hospitality and camping! This will be a great event. WPRA card holders and Permits will receive priority in entering. Please mark your calendar and plan on entering this one!

Lexington, Kentucky was home to the first new PRCA/WPRA Rodeo of the GLC season. According to Margo Ransom, "the facility was wonderful, the people were absolutely fantastic and it was all well worth the drive! The entries were low and the crowd was small but I believe this could build into a destination rodeo for all of us. The Kentucky Horse Park is a place we all need to visit. I made a short side trip to Keenland and a quick driving tour around some of the gorgeous horse farms. I definitely want to go back and spend more time there. "

April 11, 2011. 2011Required Participation

8.8.2. Forty Percent (40%) 15 Rule
8.5.2.1. In order to satisfy the 40%/15 rule, a contestant must comply with the following:
1.) If the contestant’s principal place of residence is within her designated circuit, said contestant must compete in either 40% of the rodeos within that circuit (based on the total number of rodeos during the previous rodeo year which held the particular event for which the contestant seeks to become a CR contestant) or 15 rodeos with that event within the circuit, whichever is less or;
2.) If the contestant’s principal place of residence is not within her designated circuit, said contestant must compete in either 40% of the rodeos within the circuit (based on the total number of rodeos during the previous year which held the particular event for which the contestant seeks to become a CR contestant) or 15 rodeos with that event within the circuit, whichever is greater (provided that, if there are less that 15 rodeos with a particular event in a circuit during a rodeo year a nonresident must satisfy this rule if she competes in 100% of the rodeos with that particular event in the circuit during that rodeo year).

March 8 , 2011. The Sedalia Missouri rodeo was a great success.... we want to again thank Colton's Steakhouse for their sponsorship - without their financial help we wouldn't have been able to have the barrel race. I also would like to thank the following ladies for their help with theapproval: Stacie Coke, Lindsay Leverington, Briana Reynolds, Julie Erkamaa, Tammy Whyte, Jordon Talbot, and Hannah Riddle. We have wonderful ladies in the Great Lakes Circuit. Sedalia had great hospitality and the ground was excellent. The weather was a bit of a challenge but that is typical for Missouri in February. I'm hopeful that next year we'll have more luck with the weather and that we'll enjoy a perfectly timed warm spell instead of the ice, snow and fog.
Margo Ransom

February 7 , 2011. I have sad news to share from Margo and Bill Ransom. They just lost their upcoming young stallion Watch Bully Fire (aka Bully) to a fractured knee. Bully had been undergoing treatment for his eye when he had an accident in the stocks. Bully was a son of Firewater Finale and out of Margo's great mare Watch Reedys Star (aka Dolly). Margo competed on Dolly for 16 years with great success. One of their highlights was in 2002 when they tied for second in the average at the Women's National Finals in Fort Worth. "I have had three precious horses in my life with one of them being Dolly. It was my dream to be able to ride Dolly's baby and then stand him at stud. It took three years to get Dolly bred and then we almost lost both of them when she tore her uterus when Bully was born. I am just beside myself wondering why this all happened." Please think of Margo and Bill and feel free to send them an email at warmarranch@gmail.com

January 28, 2011. The GLC welcomes New Faces and New Horses! Be on the lookout this rodeo season for Nikki Klein and Laser (aka Fols Firewater). Last year as a new member Nikki filled her permit in two months, placed at Ft Madison and had the highest GLC earnings on a permit. Her goals for 2011 are to qualify for Circuit Finals and win the GLC Rookie buckle.

Nikki Klein and Laser (aka Fols Firewater)

Nikki's main mount Laser, a ten year old son of Firewater Flit originally came from Vickie Adams. As a yearling he was purchased by an investor and then ended up turned out to pasture. He was gelded and finally put into training as a four year old. Nikki had the opportunity to purchase him three years ago. "Laser is a Firecracker! I have never met a horse with such a strong opinion; his heart is as big as he is and he gives 110% all of the time!"

Nikki resides in Manito, IL where she works full time for Monsanto in the soybean production business. She also helps manages Sandbur Tack, her family's western store.

Julie Erkamaa and Smart N Brandies aka Smarty

You won't be able to miss this new duo! The first weekend in January, Julie Erkamaa stormed into Peoria, IL to win the barrel race at the World's Toughest Bulls N Broncs on her new mount Smarty (aka Smart N Brandies). Julie and Smarty will be hitting the road early this season entering Lincoln, Rapid City and Sedalia. It was just a few months ago when Julie purchased Smarty from California's Shannon Jones. Smarty and Shannon had the fast time and placed in the average at the 2009 College National Finals.

Eleven year old Smarty is Smart Little Lena and Hollywood Dun It bred. He is a 14.1 hand finished reining horse with a long body and a very quick turning style! "The more we get to know each other the more I love this horse; he is special! I cannot wait to get started this season!" says Julie.

Rodeo Updates
Great news! Sedalia, MO is having a WPRA Barrel Race. If you do not have your 2011 membership yet, please be aware that Member Dues are February 11th. And entries open February 16th.

The Spring Horse Fairs are returning as great rodeo venues for us! The Midwest Horse Fair in Madison will have one performance April 15th with slack to follow. April 29-May 1st the Minnesota Horse Fair and Expo will be the site for three rodeo performances. So there are now three reasons to be sure to have your horses legged up and your 2011 memberships ready for ProCom!

Awards/Jackets
It is time to set goals and get organized for our awards programs. So far for the Great Lakes Circuit Finals in Louisville; Tammy Whyte has committed to doing the winter blankets and Julie Erkamaa has lined up several 2011 sponsors for the WPRA jackets. Currently, we still have available two WPRA Circuit jackets in size small. Please let me know if you would like to purchase one. There is much more to do for Circuit Finals and I will be contacting the 2010 qualifiers for assistance on this committee.

Are there any members interested in developing a Committee to work on a Circuit Awards Program or Finals for GLC Ropers and/or Permit Holders? I have had several emails about this and would really like some volunteers to form a committee and possibly lead this effort.

It is a New Season with New Horses, New Faces and New Opportunities! There is no time like the present to get started! Set your goals high and enjoy the journey! Please be sure to welcome everyone to the GLC and to vote in the upcoming WPRA election!

Stay warm!
DI

January 18, 2011. IMPORTANT INFORMATION About Rodeo Co-approvals! Unlike the PRCA, co-approved rodeos DO NOT count in your circuit rodeo count. They have not and do not. Co-approval rodeo money does count toward your circuit rodeo money. Rodeos up to $5000 added money (the $5,000 is an increase over prior years) may be co-approved with neighboring circuits if the circuit's boundary is within 150 miles.

These rules were added to help the smaller rodeos draw contestants. The WPRA feels you should support your own circuit if you are going to compete at your finals. (A percentage of payoff is held back to go into the circuit finals money)

Please support your circuit and the rodeos it co-approves.