— This weekend many of our local barrel racers will be headed down the highway to Oklahoma City for the Better Barrel Races World Finals with over $50,000 of added money in the purse.

This will be a five-division barrel race with several incentive races that contestants can enter. This year’s BBRWF is going to possibly be the largest finals to date. There are 1,345 entries this year.

The finals will see the return of the Formula 707 Futurity, except this year they have increased the money to $10,000 and added a 100% payback slot race in which the winner will take home a cool $20,000 in cash.

In addition to the futurity, they have added the “Diamond W Arena Derby” with $1,000 added.

Also, a new addition this year is the “Going Big Time BBR World Horse Sale.” The catalog for the sale is now online.

And that is not all they have added! The BBR is offering something for the whole family with the Non-Qualifier/New Member race. In this race, friends and family who did not qualify for the finals can still come, enter, and get a taste of the action. For more information on the BBRWF – visit their website at www.betterbarrelraces. com.

Contestants had to be qualified (by attending eight BBR sanctioned or approved jackpots) by Dec. 31. In case you can’t make it to Oklahoma City, there will be a live webcast at http://visworks.com.

Don’t forget, this weekend the Annual Azalea Festival Rodeo will be held at the “round building” at the Muskogee Fairgrounds. There will be two performances, Friday and Saturday, at 7:30 p.m. Rollin B Rodeo Company are the producers. The rodeo is sanctioned by both the International Professional Rodeo Association and the American Cowboys Rodeo Association. For ticket information call (918) 478-6217 or visit www.davidbaileyrodeo.com.

The final regular season rodeo before the College National Finals Rodeo has been completed. The standings as of April 25 show the Bacone College men in ninth while the women are 10th. Connors State College men’s team is 11th while the women are 12th.

In bareback riding, Jesse Gonzales of Bacone is tied for eighth while in steer wrestling, Bacone’s West Best Ratliff is in seventh, Connors’ Riley Joe Duvall sits ninth and Tyler Judd Harris in 14th. In team roping-header, Bacone’s Clay O’Brien Pianalto is seventh and Lucas Lane Spears is in eighth.

Team roping-heeler has Connors’ John T. Dickson in eighth. Breakaway roping sees Bacone’s Katie Marie Mellers in third while Connors’ Randa Shea Depew is in 12th in barrel racing.  The CNFR will be held in Casper, Wyo., June 12-18.

The Hilltop Spring Series barrel jackpots will continue on Monday evenings. Last week it was cancelled due to the threatening weather. Exhibitions begin at 6:30 p.m. and the jackpot at 8 p.m. Complete information can be found on the Events page of Barrel Horse World.

Next Thursday, the Muskogee Round-Up Club will begin their 8-jackpot Thursday night barrel series. Exhibitions ($3/each) will begin at 6:30 p.m. and the jackpot ($20) at 8 p.m.

The format of the jackpot will be half-half-half with equal payout. There will be a $10 nomination fee if you wish to accumulate points toward series end awards. High-point for the series will be awarded a customized pulling collar, first place in each division will receive a customized leather headstall, bronc halters to second place, and checkbook covers to third place. For more information call Ray Stewart at (918) 348-9378.

Have a great weekend and good luck wherever you are competing!

Reach Rhonda Stewart with rodeo news or comments at (918) 869-1498 or by email at rayandrhon@netzero.net.