For three-time NFR qualifier Sherrylynn Johnson, Henryetta, Okla., Thursday night, Feb. 4th around 9:30 p.m. can't arrive any too soon. The first round of barrel racing at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo will come to a close following the evening performance on Feb. 4.

Johnson leads the first round with a 16.95-second run, which she posted on Jan. 27 aboard an eight-year old bay gelding she calls J.T. The Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo is just their third rodeo together after competing in Odessa, Texas, and Denver, Colo. Johnson got the horse from April Trusty of Olive Branch, Miss.

For the longest Johnson was all alone in the sub 16 second club but with just two performances left in the first round she has been joined by four other ladies who also turned in sub 16-second runs. Danyelle Campbell and Brenda Mays have come the closest with identical times of 16.98 seconds, with Tana Poppino and Kay Blandford, the 2007 WPRA World Champion, are tied for fourth with matching times of 16.99 seconds.

Upon conclusion of the first round, the top 50 fastest times will return for the progressive second round that will play out between the Feb. 5 matinee performance and the matinee performance on Sunday, Feb. 7. Following the Sunday matinee the top 12 in the two run average will then advance to the final round on Sunday evening, where the event champion will be determined on a three run total.

Current results as of Feb. 3, 2009 - courtesy Susan Kanode
Women's Barrel Race: (First round) 1, Sherrylynn Johnson, Henryetta, Okla., 16.95 seconds. 2, (tie) Danyelle Campbell, Beaumont, Calif., and Brenda Mays, Terrebonne, Ore., 16.98. 4, (tie) Tana Poppino, Big Cabin, Okla., and Kay Blandford, Sutherland Springs, Texas, 16.99. 5, Jill Moody, Letcher, S.D., 17.01. 6, Lacy Wilson, Artesia, N.M., 17.14. 7, Brittany Pozzi, Victoria, Texas, 17.18. 8, Mary Burger, Pauls Valley, Okla., 17.19. 9, Christy Fullen, Fredericksburg, Texas, 17.20. 10, (tie) Sue Smith, Blackfoot, Idaho, and Kelly Allen, Stephenville, Texas, 17.22.