 |
| Brittany
Pozzi teams with Stitch to win the St. Paul (Ore.)
Rodeo for the fourth time in their career, more
than any other rodeo. Photo by Bob Click |
It is always
good to win big over the Fourth of July week, known
in rodeo as Cowboy Christmas and two-time WPRA World
Champion Brittany Pozzi is no stranger to those big
paydays. However, 2012 was different in that she was
not only the top barrel racing winner but she won more
than anyone in ProRodeo from July 2-July 8.
"I can't believe I won the most money of anyone,"
said an excited Pozzi when she learned she was the overall
winner. "I had an idea how much I had won but wasn't
sure about anyone else. I have been close to being the
top winner in the past but this is the first time I
have been the overall champion. It is pretty cool."
Pozzi of Victoria, Texas, won an astounding $27,789
at seven rodeos. She actually competed in eight rodeos
but failed to cash a check at the Greeley (Colo.) Independence
Day Stampede. Lindsay Sears was second in total money
with $25,780, while bareback rider Steven Dent was the
top PRCA winner with $22,194.
"I always seem to shine over the Fourth of July,
which is a good time to have success," said Pozzi.
"I think it helps to have a rodeo to go to every
day as you don't have time to dwell on your mistakes
as you have to get ready for the next one coming up."
Pozzi's Cowboy Christmas route consisted of - Ponoka,
Alberta- Greeley, Colo. - Cody, Wyo. - Livingston, Mont.
- Ponoka, Alberta final round - Belle Fourche, S.D.
- St. Paul, Ore. - Molalla, Ore. - and finished in Eugene,
Ore. Her paychecks consisted of Ponoka ($8,058), Cody
($3,006), Livingston ($949), Belle Fourche ($3,785),
St. Paul ($8,115), Molalla ($3,401) and Eugene ($475).
She called upon the services of three horses - Stitch
at Greeley, Livingston, and St. Paul; Duke at Ponoka,
Cody, Belle Fourche and Molalla; and finally her 5-year
old mare Steele Magnolias that she raised and trained
for her final event in Eugene.
"I had to do lots of trading but was able to get
the best set-up for my horses and it worked out great,"
said Pozzi about her busy but profitable Fourth of July.
"This was the fourth time I have won St. Paul on
Stitch and was the third time for me to win Molalla,
so that was exciting."
 For
many in rodeo it was good to see Pozzi teaming up with
Sixth Vision "Stitch" once again, for fellow
barrel racers maybe not as much. Pozzi sold Stitch in
July of 2010 to Kristen Williams. A week prior to the
2012 Reno (Nev.) Rodeo, Pozzi climbed back aboard Stitch
and the duo didn't miss a beat.
"I have him for a few months to get him back in
tuned since Kristen wasn't going," said Pozzi of
teaming with Stitch again. "It is really nice to
have him back and I figure I have won over $10,000 him
since climbing back on him. I will probably keep him
until at least the first of August."
The last time Pozzi was atop the leaderboard during
Cowboy Christmas was in 2009 when she won $29,372, that
year Bobby Mote was the top winner with $29,926. With
her 2012 haul she returns to the top spot in the WPRA
World Standings with $121,891, with Carlee Pierce second
with $118,100 and Sears with $100,774.
It is shaping up to be a race to the end at the Wrangler
NFR.
Top 10 barrel racer for Cowboy Christmas
1. Brittany Pozzi - $27,789
2. Lindsay Sears - $25,750
3. Carlee Pierce - $19,628
4. Mary Walker - $15,314
5. Syndi Blanchard - $12,128
6. Brenda Mays - $12,013
7. Lisa Lockhart - $11,315
8. Cranna Roberts - $10,345
9. Nikki Steffes - $10,255
10. Christy Loflin - $9,004
OVERALL COWBOY CHRISTMAS TOP
10
1. Brittany Pozzi, Victoria, Texas $27,789
2. Lindsay Sears, Nanton, Alberta $25,780
3. Steven Dent , Mullen, Neb. $22,194
4. Rhen Richard, Roosevelt, Utah 20,769
5. Cory Solomon, Prairie View, Texas 20,106
6. Carlee Pierce, Stephenville, Texas $19,628
7. Dusty LaValley, Bezanson, Alberta 18,559
8. Clay O'Brien Cooper, Gardnerville, Nev. 18,514
Chad Masters, Cedar Hill, Tenn. 18,514
10. Clif Cooper, Decatur, Texas 17,516
|
