Tona Frazier won the National Senior Professional Rodeo Association, World Champion Barrel Racing Title in October. at the Finals.
The National Senior Professional Rodeo Association is a recognized group of individuals, still competing in Rodeo, over the age of 40 years old. This rodeo circuit for the older riders is very popular and the NSPRA has hundreds of sanctioned events across the United States and a Canadian Association, as well. Points and money earnings are tracked to establish the Qualifiers for their National Finals Rodeo. Up until last year, the Finals event had been, historically, held in Las Vegas, but the fun little town of Panguitch, Utah, won the contract for the event for this year.
Frazier said, “Given the new, close to home location and learning that Panguitch was holding five qualifying events last August, Five is the minimum number of rodeos mandated, to enter the Finals, we decided it would be a perfect Rodeo to work and season our relatively young, talented mare, TSA Kid Rock, aka, Happy. We won first in all five, qualifying rounds. Suddenly, we were in contention for the World Title and set a few records that week in August.”
“The Finals ran six, electric days, the first week in October. There were Banquets, Hall of Fame Inductions, Meetings and four fast Barrel Races, in addition to all other Rodeo Events. “Happy” ran, either first or second place, every Performance. Happy had a bad stumble, the first go round and cost us the Average Buckle, by less than 1/100th of a second, but still managed to run second place that day, come from behind, by the Final Go Round and we went on to win the Reserve Average Championship, in addition to the World Barrel Racing Title.
“We are so grateful for this mare and she’s mapping out a brilliant future for us. We are preparing now to get our WPRA Permit, again, ending last year just $18 from our Card Holder Status. We’re going to jump out to see where we run against the “big girls.” I’m proud to represent Utah, particularly, Emery County, known nationwide, as the place, great Barrel Horses, are made.”
Tona and her husband Kevin live in Lawrence.
Local barrel racer wins championship
"Happy is a great partner for Tona in the barrel races."