Event / In the ARENA / PRCA / Rodeo / WPRA

Record Breakers: Summer Kosel and Sue Smith Shine at Cheyenne Frontier Days

A long-standing barrel racing arena record broken, not once, but three times in two years at the Daddy of ‘Em All.

On Championship Sunday, Summer Kosel and her gelding, Apollo, broke their own 17.02-second record from the 2022 Cheyenne Frontier Days (CFD) with a smoking 16.97 run. However, Sue Smith and her mare, Centerfold, came in hot with a time of 16.89 seconds to take over the 2023 win and the record.

Summer Kosel

From Glenham, South Dakota, Kosel has earned more than $62,000 by attending just over 30 rodeos in the 2023 season. The wife and mother of four has only held her Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) membership since 2017, after her kids were old enough to peewee rodeo themselves; but her and Apollo have made waves in the barrel racing world the past three years.

Sue Smith

Smith’s win and new arena record are proof of her exceptional horse training; but it’s not the first time her training has led to a CFD win, as the horse Andrea Busby won the legendary rodeo on in 2022 won more than $76,000 on the futurity scene with Smith. After being crowned champion in Cheyenne, Wyoming at 68 years old, Smith jumped from number 17 in the world standings to sixth with earnings of more than $89,000 in her most exciting rodeo season since 2009, when she finished fifth in the world.

Big things are happening for both CFD barrel racing winners and the horses carrying them to great heights, and an exceptional end to their seasons is expected for the two experienced horsewomen!

Event / In the ARENA / PBR / Rodeo

Kansas City Outlaws Deliver Impressive Win on Opening Night of Competition for PBR Camping World Team Series Homestand at T-Mobile Center

The T-Mobile Center came alive with excitement as the Kansas City Outlaws seized an impressive victory on the inaugural night of the 2023 PBR Camping World Team Series homestand. A fierce battle unfolded, resulting in a nail-biting 0.25-point win, with the spotlight on newcomer Wingson Henrique da Silva. His awe-inspiring performance in the first frame ignited a surge of enthusiasm, setting a high bar for the rest of the competition. The Outlaws’ triumph serves as a testament to their determination and prowess, and the anticipation is palpable as they gear up for the next challenge against the Missouri Thunder. Join us in reliving the electrifying moments from this unforgettable rodeo showdown!

Event / In the ARENA / PRCA / Rodeo

Rodeo Clash: Shad ‘Money’ Mayfield Outshines Riley in Reno Showdown

In the fast-paced world of rodeo, Riley Webb and Shad Mayfield stand out as rising stars in tie-down roping. These two young cowboys, both under the age of 25, have formed a unique alliance that has seen them supporting each other’s journeys in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) for the past two seasons. This partnership has fostered a true “iron sharpens iron” dynamic, allowing them to draw energy and inspiration from each other’s successes, leading to their remarkable domination on the rodeo circuit.

As the current top contenders in the 2023 world standings, Webb and Mayfield have showcased their skill and determination, recently securing the champion and reserve champion average titles at the Reno Rodeo with impressive times of 25.8 and 26.0 seconds on three head, respectively.

Webb, a 19-year-old talent hailing from Denton, Texas, emerged onto the scene and made his mark by amassing a notable $200,000 in earnings. His victories at various events including the Molalla Buckeroo Rodeo, the Redding Rodeo, and the Rodeo Houston have solidified his reputation as a force to be reckoned with.

Meanwhile, the 22-year-old Mayfield, a former world champion and four-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) qualifier, has continued to shine in the 2023 season. His triumphs at rodeos like the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show & Rodeo, the Buffalo Bill Rodeo, and the Santa Rosa Roundup have contributed to his impressive earnings of over $127,000. As the summer rodeo season draws to a close, all eyes are on this dynamic pair as they make their mark on the rodeo world.

In the ARENA

The Unstoppable Force: Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi

In the world of professional rodeo, there’s a name that stands out as a symbol of tenacity and triumph—Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi. Hailing from Lampasas, Texas, and boasting two world championship titles (2007 and 2009), she is currently leading the world standings by a remarkable margin of over $35,000. With more than two decades of rodeo experience, Pozzi Tonozzi has made her mark, securing an impressive 16 qualifications for the prestigious Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR). The 2023 season has been a triumph for Pozzi Tonozzi, marked by significant victories at renowned rodeos such as the Sandhills Stock Show & Rodeo and the illustrious Calgary Stampede. Her exceptional partnership with the remarkable horse, Jets Top Gun, fondly known as Benny, has been the driving force behind her success. At the 2023 Reno Rodeo, she blazed through the arena to set a new record with a blistering 16.70-second run in the short round. Pozzi Tonozzi’s dominance continued at the Utah Days of ‘47 Rodeo in Salt Lake City, where she further extended her lead in the world standings with an astounding $17,688 win, crossing the $3 million threshold in her Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) career. Last year’s NFR showcased her prowess, with notable placements in four out of 10 rounds, including a tie for the win in the sixth round—her first NFR round victory since 2011. With her unmatched skill and determination, there’s no doubt she’ll be chasing a third NFR average title and a third world championship this year. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi continues to be an inspiration to aspiring cowgirls worldwide, showing that true grit and relentless effort can lead to triumph in the world of rodeo.