Okeechobee, Fla.-It was 36 degrees when the rodeo kicked off in Fred Smith Arena on the Brighton Seminole Reservation last weekend (Jan. 9). That's just four degrees above freezing. Temperatures this cold are not a normal occurrence in Florida.

The unusually cold weather didn't slow down the runs at the Seminole Classic Xtreme Bulls and PRCA Rodeo in Okeechobee. Five-time Southeastern Circuit Finalist Wendy Culberson ran off with the victory, clocking a time of 15.70 seconds and stuffing $651 in her Wranglers.

"We had a nice run," Culberson says of her run during the slack. "Brighton is just about thirty minutes from my house, and I love going there. It's a nice facility and the ground is always good. It's a nice place to go compete."

Her partner, My Native Call, better known as Snip, likes the facility too. The 12-year old gelding has a great history in the Fred Smith Arena.

"He loves that pen, he has run some of the fastest times at the shows held there," Culberson says. "If we make a clean run, we usually get a check of some kind."

Snip has been with Culberson for 10 years. She trained the gelding but was unable to take the talented horse to futurities due to an injury sustained early in his four year old year. Since taking off as a rodeo horse as a 6-year old, Snip has made a habit of reaching Culberson's goals.

"I give him a goal every year, and he always seems to make it," she says. Together, Snip and Culberson have consistently finished among the top 10 of their circuit, and even won the circuit title back in 2007. Last year, she won the third go at the Southeastern Circuit Finals Rodeo in Davie.

Culberson did not come from a rodeo family, but had a sister who shared her love of horses as a kid. She competed in local horse shows before moving into futurity and derby competitions. From there she started entering rodeos.

"I didn't do high school rodeo or anything like that. It wasn't until I got out on my own that I really starting to compete," she says. "It is my own passion."

The win in Okeechobee puts Culberson into the top 10 of her circuit once again. After two years of traveling beyond the circuit borders, Culberson is looking to stay a bit closer to home in 2010.

"I hit a lot of barrels last year, not doing anything wrong, that was just kinda how it went," she explains. The missed opportunities for championship points left her out of the big winter rodeos in San Antonio and Houston. "I am an outrider for a training facility down here this time of year so it is a little tough to go anyway. I will haul more for the circuit rodeos that make sense for me and if I have enough won to keep going later in the year, I will."

The one day event in Okeechobee was held in conjunction with the kick off of the PRCA Xtreme Bulls Tour for 2010. Both the rodeo and bull riding are sponsored by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, owners of Seminole Hard Rock Entertainment, a major sponsor of professional rodeo. Visit them on-line at www.rezrodeo.com.