Guthrie, Okla.— As the 2024 IFR (International Finals Rodeo) got underway, Julie Plourde (Chicoutimi, QU) locked in her first IPRA Barrel Racing World Title along with Hudson Bolton (Milan, Tennessee), both winning Round 1, while top two-ranked Tanner Phipps (Dalton, Georgia) and Joshua Cragar’s (Columbia, Tennessee) both converted to further intensify the heated world title battle.
Quinton Lunsford (McCune, KS) made the first victory lap of the night courtesy of his triumph in Bareback Riding. Lunsford overpowered Barry’s girl and scored 83.25 points to win Round 1. It is his second trip to the IFR and first go-around win. The bareback race remains open as the Phipps and Cragar’s world standings are only one hundred dollars apart as they toggle the No. 1 spot.
In steer wrestling, a battle began to unfurl as Native Oklahoman and IPRA’s No. 2 man, Traden Anderson (Hanna, Oklahoma), made a statement with a 4.2-second run to nearly close out the Go-Round. Justin Thigpen, a 22-time IPRA World Champion, came close to tying the 21-year-old but earned a 10-second penalty after breaking the barrier. Thigpen sits No. 1 in the world. Anderson added another $2,777 to bring his 2023 earnings north of $33,660 and narrow Thigpen’s lead by $2,400.
Team roping was claimed by Jake Wells (Rainsville, Alabama) and Bryer Hamilton (Cleveland, Tennessee) who took the top spot by almost a full second. The pair locked in a 4.8-second time to earn $3,703 apiece to edge out Garrett Smith (Anna, Illinois) and Josh Clayton (Buchanan, Tennessee).
Saddle Bronc was a battle to the end, as each athlete's score was within only a few points of each other. Joe Farren (Cottondale, Florida) was last to ride and emerged victorious, extending his lead for the world title by $1,720. The IFR53 average champion took home his third go-round win in IFR history atop Crazy Alice and topped Oliver Perreault’s (Lanoraie, QU) 77-point score.
In tie-down roping, all-around leader Thigpen was 8.3 seconds on night one and took home the win after a slim lead, with Glenn Jackson (Okmulgee, Oklahoma) trailing Thigpen with an 8.5-second time. Thigpen started the night with $54,814 in earnings but was elevated to $58,516 in earnings and continues to stretch his all-around title en route to the all-around buckle. This is Thigpen’s 22 IFR.
Kelsey Mabry (Piedmont, Alabama) and Sarah Toole (Rydal, Georgia) were 3.0 seconds to split the round win, and they are now No. 5 and No. 4 in the World. Mabry and Toole were only two of three athletes who earned a time in the 3-second mark.
Julie Plourde solidified her world title after she ran a 16.50 in round one, defeating Wendy Chesnut’s (Pultney, Vermont) 16.524. Plourde ran away with the title after extending her $58,000 coming into the event to $61,509.
IPRA World No. 1 Hudson Bolton won the round with a 75.5-point ride on Air BNB. Bolton ended the evening with $59,335 in 2023 IPRA earnings.
Full Results and Standings HERE.
Single-day tickets for the 2024 10 Richest Days of Rodeo are on sale now and start at $20 for adults and $10 for kids plus fees. Tickets can be purchased online at lazye.com, and IPRArodeo.com, at the Lazy E Arena Box Office or by calling the lazy E Arena at (405) 282-3004.
