PUYALLUP, Wash. – Sherrylynn Johnson knew she needed a big win at the Ariat Playoffs in Puyallup, Wash., if she wanted to compete alongside her husband, tie-down roper Mike Johnson, at the Ariat Playoffs in Omaha, Neb., at the end of the month.
Johnson, of Henryetta, Okla., not only won the title to earn an automatic berth into Omaha but she was the biggest money earner of the weekend with $18,596 in winnings.
“It feels great to win and to punch my ticket for Omaha,” said Johnson. “My husband had already qualified for Omaha and I wanted to make it so it would be a family affair. It was a lot of fun this weekend.”
Johnson swept every round of the barrel racing on her way to her first Ariat Playoff title. Johnson competed in the first and second rounds on Friday and turned in times of 14.90 and 15.02 seconds, respectively. She easily won the average with a two run time of 29.92.
Entering the semifinal round all eight competitors started with a fresh slate, but that didn’t slow Johnson down. She won the semifinals in a time of 15.21, just outdistancing Lindz Sears of Nanton, Alberta, who finished with a 15.27. Again times were erased entering the final round and Johnson was the final barrel racer to go. Sears stopped the clock in 15.03 seconds but Johnson answered with a 14.97-second run to take the title.
“My horse (Jet) is just phenomenal and we really click together,” Johnson said. “I got on him in June and he has really done a lot of things for me. There were a lot of nice horses here and it was a tough round.”
Besides the tough competitors challenging Johnson, she was also facing some health issues while in Puyallup. Johnson had to deal with kidney stones during the first two runs but was feeling better on Sunday for the final round. Picking up the win and a big check helped ease the pain as well.
Like Johnson, saddle bronc rider Justin Arnold needed a big win to keep his hopes alive in the Ariat Playoffs as well as a shot at his first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Arnold, of Santa Margarita, Calif., turned in consistent rides in the first two rounds but didn’t place in the money. However, he finished sixth in the average with 155 points on two earning him a spot in the semifinal round. During the semifinal round on Sunday, Arnold rode Growney Brother’s Painted Feather for 83 points to finish third in the round and move on to the four-man final. It came down to the highest score in the final round and Arnold spurred Sankey Rodeo’s Blazing Saddle for 88 points. With that eight-second ride Arnold punched his ticket to Omaha and to Las Vegas for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
“It feels good to get this win and a shot at the Wrangler NFR,” Arnold said. “I have been trying for a long time. I have been 16th and 17th (in the world standings) and the 16th last year was a heartbreaker. That is the hardest part of rodeo to keep your head up and keep trying when that happens. This year it is working out for me.”
All-around hand Josh Peek was a busy man in Puyallup competing in the steer wrestling and tie-down roping. Peek, of Pueblo, Colo., qualified back for the semifinals in both events. He knew he already had a spot wrapped up in the steer wrestling for Omaha, but needed to win the event title in tie-down roping to earn a spot in that event. Peek stopped the clock in the semifinal round of the tie-down roping in 8.0 seconds to finish second in the round behind Matt Shiozawa of Chubbuck, Idaho, with a 7.9. In the final round, four-time all-around champion Trevor Brazile was the second man to go and stopped the clock in 7.9 seconds. Peek answered back with a 7.9 of his own with one cowboy remaining. Shiozawa roped and tied his calf in 8.5 seconds, leaving Brazile and Peek in a tie with 7.9 seconds. Peek won the title as a result of the tiebreaker, which uses the fastest time from the semifinal round.
“I needed to make Omaha really bad and I am really excited,” said Peek after winning the tie-down roping. “I was a little more aggressive in my start in the calf roping today. I told myself that they only pay first and second in the finals, so I knew I needed to go at it.”
Bareback rider Justin McDaniel set the bar pretty high in the bareback riding with a 90-point ride on three-time PRCA Bareback Horse of the Year Grated Coconut of the Calgary Stampede string. However, 2004 World Champion Kelly Timberman answered with a matching 90-point ride on Sankey Rodeo’s Gus. When the dust had settled the title went to Timberman, of Mills, Wyo., after turning in a higher score in the semifinal round. Timberman was third in the semifinal round with an 84 on Sankey Rodeo’s Indian Sign, while McDaniel, of Porum, Okla., was 83 on Calgary Stampede’s French Wake. Both Timberman and McDaniel had already earned a berth into Omaha prior to Sunday in Puyallup.
Steer wrestler Billy Bugenig is focused on making his first Wrangler NFR and was hoping to cash in this weekend in Puyallup to help his cause. Bugenig, of Ferndale, Calif., did that in a big way winning a total of $15,187. The California cowboy won his first Ariat Playoff title after stopping the clock in 4.2 seconds to outdistance Curtis Cassidy, who finished with a 4.3. Bugenig also earned an automatic berth into the third Ariat Playoff in Omaha, Neb., Sept. 27-29.
Seven-time world champion team ropers Jake Barnes and Clay O’Brien Cooper made it count when they needed to. The legendary duo barely made the semifinal cut finishing eighth in the average with a two head time of 11.7. Once in the semifinals they turned in a time of 5.1 seconds and just made the cut again, finishing fourth in the semifinal round. They came out in the final round and set the bar at 4.5 seconds. World champions Clay Tryan and Walt Woodard threatened, but fell short with a 4.7-second run. Barnes and Cooper received an automatic berth into Omaha, but more importantly the money won in Puyallup will get them to Dallas.
“We are looking down the road that with this win here, it gets us into Dallas in November,” said Cooper. “Since I live just an hour away, I sure didn’t want to miss that one.”
Bull rider Dave Samsel brought the curtain down on the Ariat Playoffs in Puyallup with a 90-point ride on Korkow Rodeo’s Red Neck. Samsel, of Haslet, Texas, described his year as a roller coaster type of year.
“One month would be good and then the next would be bad,” Samsel said. “This is a great win and really boost my confidence up there. Winning heals everything.”
The winners from the Puyallup Round of the Ariat Playoffs earned automatic berths into the Omaha Round and will be joined by the top 11 in the Wrangler ProRodeo Tour standings. The first round gets underway on Sept. 27.
Fox Sports Network will televise action from the Puyallup Round. Log onto www.prorodeotour.com for more information.
Ariat Playoffs – Puyallup Round
Semifinal and final round results
Bareback Riding:
Final round: 1. (tie) Justin McDaniel, Porum, Okla., on Calgary Stampede's Grated Coconut, and Kelly Timberman, Mills, Wyo., on Sankey Rodeo’s Gus, 90 points, $5,166 each; 3. Jess Davis, Payson, Utah, 82; 4. Steven Dent, Mullen, Neb., 79.
Semifinal round: 1. Jess Davis, Payson, Utah, 87 points on Growney Bros' Raggidy Ann, $3,099; 2. Steven Dent, Mullen, Neb., 85, $2,325; 3. Kelly Timberman, Mills, Wyo., 84, $1,550; 4. (tie) Jason Havens, Prineville, Ore., and Justin McDaniel, Porum, Okla., 83, $387 each; 6. Larry Sandvick, Billings, Mont., 82; 7. Cimmaron Gerke, Brighton, Colo., 80; 8. Tom McFarland, Wickenburg, Ariz., 0.
Total event earnings: 1. Justin McDaniel, Porum, Okla., $13,689; 2. Kelly Timberman, Mills, Wyo., $7,490; 3. Tom McFarland, Wickenburg, Ariz., $5,424; 4. Larry Sandvick, Billings, Mont., $4,649; 5. Jess Davis, Payson, Utah, $3,099; 6. Steven Dent, Mullen, Neb., $2,325; 7. (tie) Ryan Gray, Cheney, Wash., and Clint Cannon, Waller, Texas, $1,550; 9. Bo Casper, Fort Scott, Kan., $775; 10. (tie) Jason Havens, Prineville, Ore., and Bobby Mote, Culver, Ore., $387.
Ariat Playoff Champion: Kelly Timberman
Steer Wrestling
Final results: 1. Billy Bugenig, Ferndale, Calif., 4.2 seconds, $6,199; 2. Curtis Cassidy, Donalda, Alberta, 4.3, $4,133; 3. Josh Peek, Pueblo, Colo., 4.6; 4. Dane Hanna, Littleton, Colo., 13.3.
Semifinal results: 1. Curtis Cassidy, Donalda, Alberta, 3.6 seconds, $3,099; 2. Billy Bugenig, Ferndale, Calif., 3.8, $2,325; 3. (tie) Josh Peek, Pueblo, Colo., Dane Hanna, Littleton, Colo., and Levi Wisness, Keene, N.D., 3.9, $775; 6. .Wade Sumpter, Fowler, Colo., 4.2; 7. Stockton Graves, Newkirk, Okla., 4.4; 8. Gabe Ledoux, Kaplan, La., NT.
Total event earnings: 1. Billy Bugenig, Ferndale, Calif., $15,187; 2. Curtis Cassidy, Donalda, Alberta, $10,021; 3. Josh Peek, Pueblo, Colo., $5,501; 4. Stockton Graves, Newkirk, Okla., $3,099; 5. Wade Sumpter, Fowler, Colo., $2,325; 6. Dane Hanna, Littleton, Colo., $2,015; 7. Gabe Ledoux, Kaplan, La., $1,937; 8. Levi Wisness, Keene, N.D., $1,240.
Ariat Playoff Champion: Billy Bugenig
Team Roping
Final results: 1. Jake Barnes, Scottsdale, Ariz./Clay O'Brien Cooper, Morgan Mill, Texas, 4.5 seconds, $6,199; 2. Clay Tryan, Billings, Mont./Walt Woodard, Stockton, Calif., 4.7, $4,133; 3. Kevin Stewart, Glen Rose, Texas/Brad Culpepper, Ashburn, Ga., 5.2; 4. Tommy Edens, Gatesville, Texas/Coby Jones, Gatesville, Texas, NT.
Semifinal results: 1. Tommy Edens, Gatesville, Texas/Coby Jones, Gatesville, Texas, 4.9 seconds, $3,099; 2. (tie) Clay Tryan, Billings, Mont./Walt Woodard, Stockton, Calif., and Kevin Stewart, Glen Rose, Texas/Brad Culpepper, Ashburn, Ga., 5.0, $1,937; 4. Jake Barnes, Scottsdale, Ariz./Clay O'Brien Cooper, Morgan Mill, Texas, 5.1, $775; 5. Colter Todd, Marana, Ariz./Cesar De La Cruz, Tucson, Ariz., 9.6; 6. Tee Woolman, Llano, Texas/Cory Petska, Lexington, Okla., 10.2; 7. (tie) Keven Daniel, Altha, Fla./Jhett Johnson, Casper, Wyo., and Jake Cooper, Monument, N.M./Jimmie Cooper, Monument, N.M., NT.
Total event earnings: 1. Clay Tryan, Billings, Mont./Walt Woodard, Stockton, Calif., $10,719; 2. Jake Barnes, Scottsdale, Ariz./Clay O'Brien Cooper, Morgan Mill, Texas, $6,974; 3. Colter Todd, Marana, Ariz./Cesar De La Cruz, Tucson, Ariz., $5,036; 4. Keven Daniel, Altha, Fla./Jhett Johnson, Casper, Wyo., $3,487; 5. Kevin Stewart, Glen Rose, Texas/Brad Culpepper, Ashburn, Ga., $3,487; 6. Tommy Edens, Gatesville, Texas/Coby Jones, Gatesville, Texas, $3,099; 7. Jake Cooper, Monument, N.M./Jimmie Cooper, Monument, N.M., $2,712; 8. Tee Woolman, Llano, Texas/Cory Petska, Lexington, Okla., $2,325; 9. Brandon Beers, Powell Butte, Ore./Cody Cowden, Merced, Calif., $1,550; 10. (tie) Coleman Proctor, Miami, Okla./Jake Long, Nowata, Okla., and David Key, Caldwell, Texas/Kory Koontz, Sudan, Texas, $775each; 12. Wade Wheatley, Hughson, Calif./Rich Skelton, Llano, Texas, $387.
Ariat Playoff Champions: Jake Barnes/Clay O’Brien Cooper
Saddle Bronc Riding
Final results: 1. Justin Arnold, Santa Margarita, Calif., 89 points on Sankey's Blazing Saddle, $6,199; 2. Rod Hay, Wildwood, Alberta, 85, $4,133; 3. Chet Johnson, Gillette, Wyo., 83; 4. Jeff Willert, Belvidere, S.D., 82
Semifinal results: 1. Rod Hay, Wildwood, Alberta, 87 points on Sankey's Surprise Package, $3,099; 2. Jeff Willert, Belvidere, S.D., 85, $2,325; 3. Justin Arnold, Santa Margarita, Calif., 83, $1,550; 4. Chet Johnson, Gillette, Wyo., 82, $775; 5. Cody Demoss, Heflin, La., 80; 6. Scott Keogh, Queensland, Australia, 79; 7. Dusty Hausauer, Dickinson, N.D., 69; 8. Heith Demoss, Crowville, La., 0
Total event earnings: 1. Rod Hay, Wildwood, Alberta, $8,007; 2. Justin Arnold, Santa Margarita, Calif., $7,748; 3. Cody Demoss, Heflin, La., $6,586; 4. Jeff Willert, Belvidere, S.D., $6,199; 5. Dusty Hausauer, Dickinson, N.D., $5,036; 6. Rusty Allen, Lehi, Utah, $3,099; 7. Chet Johnson, Gillette, Wyo., $2,325; 8. Scott Keogh, Queensland, Australia, $1,550; 9. Heith Demoss, Crowville, La., $775
Ariat Playoff Champion: Justin Arnold
Tie-Down Roping
Final results: 1. (tie) Josh Peek, Pueblo, Colo., and Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas, 7.9 seconds, $5,166; 3. Matt Shiozawa, Chubbuck, Idaho, 8.5; 4. Stran Smith, Childress, Texas, NT.
Semifinal results: 1. Matt Shiozawa, Chubbuck, Idaho, 7.9 seconds, $3,099; 2. Josh Peek, Pueblo, Colo., 8.0, $2,325; 3. (tie) Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas, and Stran Smith, Childress, Texas, 8.1, $1,162; 5. Barry Burk, Ponca City, Okla., 8.3; 6. Clint Cooper, Decatur, Texas, 9.0; 7. Brad Goodrich, Hermiston, Ore., 9.2; 8. Blair Burk, Durant, Okla., 9.4.
Total event earnings: 1. Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas, $10,977; 2. Josh Peek, Pueblo, Colo., $8,265; 3. Barry Burk, Ponca City, Okla., $5,036; 4. Blair Burk, Durant, Okla., $3,874; 5. (tie) Jake Hannum, Ogden, Utah, and Matt Shiozawa, Chubbuck, Idaho, $3,099 each; 7. Tyson Durfey, Colbert, Wash., $2,325; 8. Mike Johnson, Henryetta, Okla., $1,937; 9. Jeff Chapman, Athens, Texas, $1,550; 10. Stran Smith, Childress, Texas, $1,162
Ariat Playoff Champion: Josh Peek
Barrel Racing
Final results: 1. Sherrylynn Johnson, Henryetta, Okla., 14.97 seconds, $6,199; 2. Lindz Sears, Nanton, Alberta, 15.03, $4,133; 3. Brenda Mays, Terrebonne, Ore., 15.28; 4. Shelly Anzick, Livingston, Mont., 15.47
Semifinal results: 1. Sherrylynn Johnson, Henryetta, Okla., 15.21 seconds, $3,099; 2. Lindz Sears, Nanton, Alberta, 15.27, $2,325; 3. Brenda Mays, Terrebonne, Ore., 15.33, $1,550; 4. Shelly Anzick, Livingston, Mont., 15.37, $775; 5. Molly Powell, Stephenville, Texas, 15.40; 6. Andrea Clark, Lusk, Wyo., 15.52; 7. Sherry Cervi, Marana, Ariz., 15.55; 8. Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D., 15.70.
Total event earnings: 1. Sherrylynn Johnson, Henryetta, Okla., $18,596; 2. Lindz Sears, Nanton, Alberta, $13,431; 3. (tie) Andrea Clark, Lusk, Wyo., Molly Powell, Stephenville, Texas, Brittany Pozzi-Pharr, Victoria, Texas, and Brenda Mays, Terrebonne, Ore., $1,550 each; 7. Shelly Anzick, Livingston, Mont., $1,550; 8. (tie) Sherry Cervi, Marana, Ariz., and Jana Jarreau, Greenwell Springs, La., $775 each.
Ariat Playoff Champion: Sherrylynn Johnson
Bull Riding
Final results: 1. Dave Samsel, Haslet, Texas, 90 points on Korkow's Red Neck, $6,199; 2. Ted Bert, Modesto, Calif., 86, $4,133; 3. Steve Woolsey, Payson, Utah, 77; 4. Jarrod Craig, Hillsboro, Texas, 0.
Semifinal results: 1. Steve Woolsey, Payson, Utah, 91 points on Western's Deep Blue, $3,099; 2. Ted Bert, Modesto, Calif., 88, $2,325; 3. Jarrod Craig, Hillsboro, Texas, 83, $1,550; 4. (tie) Dave Samsel, Haslet, Texas,Colin McTaggart, Brentwood, Calif., Wesley Silcox, Payson, Utah, Logan Knibbe, Rockdale, Texas, and J.C. Bean, Goldendale, Wash., 0.
Total event earnings: 1. Dave Samsel, Haslet, Texas, $10,460; 2. Steve Woolsey, Payson, Utah, $9,298; 3. Ted Bert, Modesto, Calif., $6,844; 4. Jarrod Craig, Hillsboro, Texas, $4,649; 5. (tie) Wesley Silcox, Payson, Utah, and Logan Knibbe, Rockdale, Texas, $1,937 each; 7. (tie) Cody Buller, Glendive, Mont., J.W. Harris, May, Texas, and Kanin Asay, Powell, Wyo., $1,550 each; 10. (tie) Colin McTaggart, Brentwood, Calif., and B.J. Schumacher, Hillsboro, Wis., $387 each.
Ariat Playoff Champion: Dave Samsel
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