LINCOLN -- All phases of the 2018 Lincoln Rodeo checked out successful by the end of competition Saturday.
New this year was ranch bronc riding, something Lincoln Riding Club member Carol Jetton was eagerly looking forward to in anticipation the new event would draw more interest.
"Locals can enter that, it's just kind of a new thing that's coming up, and a lot of the kids are really liking it," Jetton said. "The sanction accepts locals within a 50-mile radius, but we have special events like our junior barrel racing and peewees and this ranch broncs that allows locals of any area to be able to compete."
Making adjustments on the fly comes with the territory. Cowboys and cowgirls accept that as a way of life and prepare themselves to deal with each challenge.
Precision Drill Team
Lincoln Riding Club's precision drill team, 'The Regulators' performed as an 11-person mounted troupe instead of their usual 12 due to an injury while performing in week's prior to the Lincoln Rodeo. Co-founder Hannah Sanders acknowledges the group goes really fast and tries to account for mishaps should an incident occur and that paid off in a big way.
"We practice for anything that can happen in the arena, a horse going down, a rider falling off, just any fluke that can possibly happen," Sanders said. "But equipment breaks and we can't solve for that, and so when that happens, we had a minor wreck because of equipment breaking -- but the girls were in the arena. We got our heads together, we got to a safe place. We got out safely, and we've regrouped, and we've gathered, and we've practiced since then and we're ready to go and we're ready to ride. Going strong we are, we'll always go strong."
Event Winners
Nearly $12,000 in prize money changed hands during the 65th annual Lincoln Rodeo held Thursday through Saturday at Lincoln Riding Club Arena. The total amount paid out was $11,950.8, although there were no qualfying bull rides.
In bareback riding, A.J. Yocham won the event with a score of 71 on Thursday winning $419.52. In second place was Cody Parker with a score of 68 and $279.68.
In cowgirl barrel racing, first place was nailed down by Andee Jo Haden, who turned in a time of 15.528 to claim $749.71. Second place belonged to Kendyl Scruggs with a time of 15.761 and taking home $620.45; while third place went to April Yeager in 15.937 with a paycheck of $491.19.
Cowgirl breakaway roping was won by Jenna Lee Hays in three seconds flat, which netted $901.60. Second place belonged to Kade Kelly with another quick time of 3.2 which paid out $676.20. In third place was Kensley Wilson with a third fast time of 3.3. She went home with $450.80.
Calf Roping action concluded with a pair of cowboys tied for first: J.C. King and McKade Wickett each posted a 9.8 and claimed $621.46 in prize money. Third place was awarded to Ben Plazza with a time of 10.3 and $355.12 winnings.
Travis Gardner won the Saddle Bronc Riding with a ride of 81 and took home $419.52 for his winning effort. In second place was Darrin Lively with a score of 80 and a $279.68 payday.
West Ratliff won the steer wrestling competiton with a time of 4.6 taking home $588.80. Second place was awarded to Parker Howell with a time of 4.8 earning him $353.28. Jake Morgan finished third with a 5.5 time and won $235.52.
Team Roping champions were Adam Hubler and Cody Heflin recording a time of 7 seconds to win $800.40. In second place were Tyler Chaffin and Johnathan Hemby at 7.2 seconds and $662.40 in prize money. Third place belonged to Destry Graham and Nicky Simmons with a time of 7.8 earning $524.40.
Royalty
Kylee Bobacher's motto is "Be true, be you," helped the Westville, Okla. cowgirl win the 2018 Miss Lincoln Riding Club queen contest. Sixteen-year-old Kylee, daughter of Sauncie Turn and Mark Bobacher, of Westville, Okla., will be a junior at Westville High School this fall, and hopes to one day become a veterinarian. Bobacher won the Speech and Modeling as well as the Horsemanship portions of the contest.
First runner-up Hannah Taylor, of Fayetteville, won the highest sponsorship award.
The junior queen crown went to Judy Gail McNeeley, of Westville, Okla., who also won the Speech and Modeling and Horsemanship portions of the contest. McNeeley was also recognized as "Miss Congeneality." First runner-up Mika Arnold, of Lincoln, won the high sales raffles, banners and tickets award; plus the "Moving Up" award.
Wearing the 2018 princess sash is Chloie Thomas, of Farmington. She won the Speech and Modeling and Horsemanship portions of the contest. First runner-up Brooklyn Teague, of Siloam Springs, won the "Rising Star" award and "Miss Photogenic" award.
Sports on 08/15/2018