JOHNSON CASHES IN ON THREE-RODEO WEEKEND
July 19 , 2010

Two first-place wins over the weekend added $2,563 to Chad Johnson's tie-down roping earnings, moving him into a more comfortable 14th spot in the standings.

"It was outstanding," the Del Bonita, Alta. roper said of his weekend. "I didn't have much money won and I needed to catch up. I think that's a good start to getting caught up."

Going into the weekend Johnson was sitting 23rd in the event. A time of 8.5 seconds at the Harmon Valley Rodeo in Peace River, Alta. on Saturday put him in first place worth $1,309. A short drive south the following day found him and his sorrel gelding Pincher (2009 Tie-Down Roping Horse of the Year) in Teepee Creek, Alta. where they again teamed up for a first place time of 9.6 seconds and $1,254.

That wasn't the only money the cowboy collected at the three rodeos over the weekend. Peace River also paid him and his team roping partner Steven Thiessen (Stettler, Alta.) $50 each for splitting last place with two other teams. But, perhaps the most surprising win came out of Taber, Alta. where Johnson got his weekend winnings off to an early start by filling in with Baillie Milan in the team roping.

With a borrowed horse and a different partner, Johnson mixed things up a little further and took his place as header for the newly formed team.

"I borrowed Marty Lillico's horse," he explained. "And I was actually heading with Baillie. I usually heel."

They stopped the clock in five seconds flat and that was good for second place, $825 each and a few laughs when the rodeo was over.

"Everybody was making fun of me. They said it didn't matter which end of the team roping I do, I win," Johnson chuckled.

Rough stock rider Logan Hodson of Telkwa, BC also had a weekend to write home about. He was the lone contestant in both the saddle bronc riding and bareback riding on Saturday night, and if that wasn't memorable enough, he was paired up with two of the Kesler family's superstars.

In the saddle bronc riding Hodson drew Kesler Rodeo Co.'s Instant Request, a Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) and National Finals Rodeo (NFR) selection horse who was the 2000 Canadian Bareback Horse of the Year. The two put together an 82.5 ride for first place.

From the bareback pen, Hodson drew Kesler Championship Rodeo's Alley Ways, another CFR and NFR selection horse who has won his own fair share of titles including Canadian and World championships. This time Hodson spurred for 84.5 points and another first place cheque. The next day he took a share of fourth place in Teepee Creek, bringing his weekend winning to $1,959.

Other top money earners at the three rodeos include saddle bronc rider Billy Richards (Crossfield, Alta.) who finished in first place at Peace River with a 79-point ride on Northcott's Major Deal. He also finished in second place at Teepee Creek for a weekend total of $2,052 won.

In the bareback riding, Seven Persons, Alta. cowboy Reid Rowan pocketed $1,736 after he teamed up with Northcott's Six Guns for 81 points to finish in first-place at Peace River and claimed second-place at Taber.

Bull rider Jody Turner (Cochrane, Alta.) collected $1,942 in total, picking up cheques and day money at all three of the weekend's rodeos.

A first and fourth place finish at Teepee Creek and Peace River respectively saw Cochrane's Harley Cole add $2,212 to his earnings.
 
Drayton Valley's Ramona Nash took home $1,659, after finishing in first place at Peace River and in the money at Teepee Creek.

Team ropers Jackson Louis (Vernon, BC) and Rocky Ross (Botha, AB) each roped $2,421 to their earnings, sliding them both into the top five in their event.