LINCOLN -- After a three-month delay, rodeo fans, who had bought advance tickets, were able to cash in rain checks and the wait was worth their patience.
Muddy conditions in the Lincoln Riding Club Arena parking area forced the 65th annual Lincoln Rodeo to be rescheduled from May to August. When the event kicked off last week rain never materialized, but competition did. Fractions of a second determined the winners in several categories and nearly $12,000 in prize money was paid out to contestants during the 65th annual Lincoln Rodeo held Thursday through Saturday at Lincoln Riding Club Arena.
Carol Jetton, wife of Lincoln Riding Club president Jimmie Jetton, said the rodeo brings in cowboys from all over the United States and some from foreign countries.
"We have a good draw because of our arena, our location, our added money and we usually bring in a good stock contractor," Jetton said. "Our rodeo committee goes out and talks to local businesses, and we get $500 added for each event for the contestants and they get 100 percent of that."
Three points separated the top two bareback rides. 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.
Three cowgirls were exceedingly fast in breakaway roping. The top three finishers turned in times between 3.0 and 3.3 seconds. Jenna Lee Hays won $901.60 by recording a 3.0 time. Second place belonged to Kade Kelly with 3.2 which paid out $676.20. In third place was Kensley Wilson with a time of 3.3. She took home $450.80.
Calf Roping ended in a two-way tie for first: J.C. King and McKade Wickett both had a 9.8 and won $621.46 apiece in prize money.
Saddle bronc riding came down to a single point. Travis Gardner won first place with a ride of 81 earning $419.52. In second place was Darrin Lively with a score of 80 and $279.68.
Two tenths of a second separated first and second place in the steer wrestling event. West Ratliff came in first with a time of 4.6 to win $588.80. Parker Howell was second with a time of 4.8 and $353.28. Jake Morgan finished third with a 5.5 time and won $235.52.
Team roping also boasted a narrow finish. Adam Hubler and Cody Heflin had the wining time of 7 seconds to claim $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.
The total amount paid out was $11,950.8, although there were no qualfying bull rides.
Kylee Bobacher, of Westville, Okla., won the 2018 Lincoln Riding Club rodeo queen contest. Hannah Taylor, of Fayetteville placed first runner-up.
Winning the junior queen crown was another Westville, Okla., cowgirl, Judy Gail McNeely. First runner-up went to Mika Arnold, of Lincoln, in the junior queen competition.
Chloie Thomas, of Farmington, won the 2018 LRC princess pageant with Brooklyn Teague, of Siloam Springs, awarded first runner-up.
The Lil' Mister winner was Karson Sampley and the Lil Miss winner was Emma Parker. Lil' Miss first runner-up went to Langley Jones.
General News on 08/15/2018