2010 Josey Reunion Round-Up

2010 Josey Reunion Round-Up Press Release
April 30-May 2, 2010

The most beautiful sunny skies, perfect temperatures and 364 contestants and horses from all over the US and Canada, battling it out for over $100,000 in cash and prizes, including a decked-out BIG TEX/CM Trailer, Circle Y & Billy Cook Saddles, Bob Berg Championship Trophy Buckles, Purina Feed, United Vet Products, and more! That is Barrel Racing at its best and that is what happened during the 2010 Josey Reunion Round-Up for former students this year!
“We could not enjoy the freedom that we have this weekend without those men and women in the armed forces that have served our county”, Randy Adams and Coy Huffman announced as the weekend began with a salute to our veterans and the presentation of the colors by the Marshall High School ROTC under the direction of Major Mayfield.

Over 2000 people came to the Josey Ranch with family, friends, riders and horses to enjoy food, fun and fellowship among the excitement of barrel racing and pole bending. But what really lit up the main arena with electricity was fourteen-year-old Blue Grass Iowan, Mesa Leavitt who began making history in the rodeo world in 2005 with her horse, Junior’s Genuine Doc aka “Junior. She won the prestigious Josey Jr. World title back-to-back and four times overall in 05, 06, 08 and 09. She holds the Triple Crown of barrel racing winning the Josey Jr. World, All American Youth, and NBHA Youth World. Sitting tight in her Martha Josey/Circle Y Ultimate saddle, holding fast to her Josey Beagley Knot Reins attached to the Josey Million Dollar bit, and styling in her Cowgirl Tuff Jeans, the official Jeans of the Josey Ranch, she and Junior ran to win with an outstanding time of 16.112. Mesa’s parents purchased Junior from Suvoy and Cheryl Rosser through the Josey Ranch and what a winning combination that has become. Mesa took home a slew of cash and prizes including a beautiful trailer donated by BIGTEX/CM Trailers, a Circle Y Saddle, Bob Berg Championship Trophy Buckle, a Don Wasson Bit for the fastest time, quality Hy-Flex products by United Vet Equine, Purina Feed, and much, much more.

The champions in each division won saddles along with a beautiful, custom designed Bob Berg Buckle. And standing on the stage was Amy Swan of Olney, Texas, riding, Boons Prescription to win the 2D Championship, with a time of 16.626. The 3D Champion was Gilmer, Texan cowgirl, Kari Arreola Henson riding Pinto with a time of 17.150. And the 4D went to a great friend of Josey Ranch, the one and only Kris Suard of the Black Star Ranch in Houma, Louisiana, riding her horse Phoebes Smokin Cat to claim a time of 18.147. Andrea Whiteside, of Kilgore, Texas, riding The Right To Run won the Senior Division Championship with a 16.574. The Reserve Champions were 1D - Abby Pursifull of Arthur City, Texas, riding Truckstop with a time of 16.217, 2D - Jana Guthrie of Canton, Texas, riding Gee with a time of 16.635, 3D - Cooper Clinton of Carthage, Texas, riding Fortune Five with a time of 17.166, and the 4D Reserve Champion was Sara Funderburk of Bossier City, Louisiana, riding Money with a time of 18.234.
On Thursday night, the Josey Ranch kicked off the Reunion with a ground shaking Pole Bending competition. Keily Abney of Hugo, Oklahoma riding Dallas made a streaking run of 20.719 to win the 1D. The 2D was won by Brittany Ellis riding Troy with a time of 21.721, and Jolie Null of Marshall, Texas riding Doll captured the 3D with a time of 22.721.

Two college scholarships were awarded immediately following the church service. The Thomas Mitchell Scholarship was awarded to Ashton Michelle Wright of Queen City, Texas. And the Green Beret SSG Jamie Alford scholarship winner went to Kelci Kennedy of Linden, Texas delivered tearfully by Jamie’s mother, Gale Alford who spoke of her son’s passing, and loving commitment to barrel racing. Former Green Beret Judge Jim Ammerman presented the award and gave a salute to the fallen soldier.In honor of Martha Josey’s great horse, Sonny Bit O’Both, the only horse to ever win the AQHA and WPRA World Championships in the same year, a very special award was given to the Horse with the Most Heart. This year’s honor went to Kylie Abney’s horse Southern Spunk aka "Dallas". Despite broken withers just five years earlier and a devastating diagnosis that this horse would never run again, 23 year old “Dallas” won the 2010 Reunion Round-Up Pole Bending event with a time 20.719The Oldest Horse Award, as well as the Fastest Veteran Award, went to Elaine Lambino on 32 year old “Peppy” . The Fastest Paint Horse Award went to Royena Clifton on Cooza Crisp with a 16.503. Contestant Hailey Poole’s Grandfather, Roger Dees, won the Martha Josey Ultimate Circle Y Raffle Saddle.

Thanks to the Barrel Horse News, Circle Y Saddlery, HealthyCoat, Thoro’Bred Horseshoes, and Mark Burt MVP Video Productions the 2010 Josey Reunion Round-up was webcast live and viewed all over the World. With comments on the race all the way from China’s NBHA Champion, Dashun Liu, it can truly be said that Martha and R.E. are loved the world over.

If you would like to be a part of the 2011 Josey Reunion Round-Up or for more information on future Josey Clinics and events at the Josey Ranch in Marshall, Texas or in your area, please visit us at http://www.barrelracers.com/ or call us at 903-935-5358.

“We have had over 100,000 students through our clinics and the Reunion is such a great time to see our students again and to see their progress and success. Congratulations to all of the 2010 Josey Reunion Round-up winners!” – R.E. & Martha Josey