The Fourth of July rodeo run was plenty lucrative in 2011. In fact, 59 cowboys and cowgirls earned at least $10,000 during the one week of rodeoing.
Of course, that meant a lot of long hours on the road. It mean all-night drives and rushed trips to airports.
Barrel racer Brenda Mays said she began the week with just six hours sleep in three days. Brenda finished the week with $11,140, eighth best among WPRA barrel racers.
Consider that further: Seven others earned more than Mays. That’s pretty impressive.
The top 10 ProRodeo contestants in Cowboy Christmas earnings, according to the PRCA:
1. Trevor Brazile (TR/TD), $39,993
2. Wesley Silcox (BR, 29,186
3. Taos Muncy (SB), 26,489
4. Shane Hanchey (TD), 25,121
5. Lindsay Sears (GBR), 23,838
6. Curtis Cassidy (SW/TD), 22,146
7. Cody DeMers (BB), 20,192
8. Clint Cannon (BB), 20,155
9. Shane Proctor (BR), 18,987
10. Steve Woolsey (BR), 18,953
The top 10 WPRA barrel racers:
1. Sears, $23,838
2. Sue Smith, $17,025
3. Sherry Cervi, $16,618
4. Angie Meadors, $15,870
5. Tammy Fischer, $14,266
6. Brittany Pozzi, $13,222
7. Sydni Blanchard, $11,530
8. Brenda Mays, $11,140
9. Lisa Lockhart, $11,117
10. Sammi Bessert, $10,948