The WRANGLER Horse and Rodeo News is an equine and rodeo publication with circulation in Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota, Utah and Idaho.
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18 • The WRANGLER • September, 2024 Crowning The Royalty: Crowning The Royalty: Barrel Racing Champions Barrel Racing Champions new chAmPions Are mAking nAmes for themseLves After historic wins At the rock sPrings royaL crown. The Royal Crown in Rock Springs, Wyoming, wrapped up after nearly two weeks of action and some of the best payouts in the industry. With 166 entries in the incentive futurity, 168 in the incentive derby, there were a total of 652 entries in the open. The Royal Crown and SVE Open Futurity 1D average championships went to Anita Ellis of Blackfoot, Idaho, and her speedy four year old gelding, SGL Rico. "Rico" is sired by The Goodbye Lane and out of Version Blue by Winners Version. They earned a whopping $57,450 for the Royal Crown Futurity average and another $5,646 for the SVE Open Futurity average. They duo also took home hefty paydays for their third place finish in round one and a round win in the second round. Rico is sired by a Royal Crown stallion and his dam's sire is also a Royal Crown stallion, earning the duo another $5,000 for the Royal Flush bonus. In just over 30 seconds on two runs, the team capitalized to win well over $100,000. Rico's personality and demeanor is one of Ellis' favorite things about the young gelding. "He is such a pleasure to ride. The other two horses I'm running right now are pretty intense, but he is just really chill. He will move over in a run if I want him to," she explained. Ellis expressed her appreciation for the Royal Crown events, "The amount of time they put into everything, the ground, everything they do for us with the dinners and free drinks, obviously the payout is so exciting. To make that kind of money possible is just amazing." Ellis also echoed her gratitude to the Jarvis family, who own The Goodbye Lane, "I love that they have put him in everything. I'm grateful that I can pick wherever I want to take him." The 2D Royal Crown Futurity average win went to Janna Brown and SH Ima Bullionaire, by Bullseye Bullion and out of Last Honor Ta Fame. The 2D SVE Open Futurity average championship was captured by Jada Haken and Brecklynn. Brecklynn is sired by Famous Bugs, out of French Myst. A pattern we've seen over the past several years, The Goodbye Lane colts cleaned up at the Royal Crown, with Rico being one of several high money earners and round winners at the event. Kassie Mowry and Goodbye Sophie, by The Goodbye Lane and out of the great mare, Famous Sophie, won the 1D in round one of both the Royal Crown Futurity and the SVE Open Futurity. Kenna Kaminski and Ivan Drinkin, by Triple Vodka and out of Flyin Iron, won the 2D in the By Teal Stoll Anita Ellis & SGL Rico were the Royal Crown 1D Futurity champions. Photo Credit: Lexi Smith Media, Photos Courtesy of Anita Ellis.