Winning the Josey Reunion is no easy task; winning it twice is even more impressive.
Josey Ranch has been hosting barrel racing and roping clinics since 1967, with the continued tradition that once you cross the front gate, you become part of the Josey Family. 31 years ago, Martha and R.E. Josey decided it was time to hold a family reunion, and hosted the first Josey Reunion Barrel Race.
“The Josey Reunion is a barrel race unlike any other,” explained Martha’s nephew Gary Arthur. “Not only do we get to see great horses and tough competition come through the alleyway, but each contestant is part of the Josey family and have been to the ranch many times over the last fifty years.”
This year, the Josey Ranch expanded on the event with a 2-division open High Stakes Race, the high stakes kicked off at 6 pm on Thursday. With a $300 entry fee on the line, contestants battled for a spot on the leaderboard. Ultimately, the winner was Dillion Boykin from Farmerville, Louisiana, with his partner “Gigglen and Wigglen”, who had a time of 16.450. The 2D champion was Caydence Kunkel from Hinton, Iowa, and her partner, “OK Pimas Bow Ty Jack”, with a time of 17.488.
Following the high-stakes race, the Reunion Barrel Race started early Friday morning. Friday’s race was won by Midlothian, Texas, rider Rinley Rawlins, and her partner “TBRivers Caynon Guy” with a 16.234.
After Friday’s Race, contestants prepared for another chance to compete in the finals on Sunday. The Second Go was tough competition as Sheryl Gamboa from Waskom, Texas took both first and second place in the go with her equine partners “The Bolderdash” and “Starrin Baby Rose”. “The BolderDash” is a son of “Bolders Runner” who was purchased by Martha and R.E. Josey, with the help of Dr. Larry Findley, a good friend to the Joseys, and the current on site vet for the Josey Reunion. After purchasing “Bolders Runner” the Joseys shortly sold to Josey Instructor Lisa Mitchell. Lisa Mitchell competed on “Boulders Runner” as a futurity horse and then sold her to the Gamboa family.
Taking the top 20 barrel racers in each division, each day the short go filled to 147 barrel racers who are running for $10,000 added money, saddles, and other great prizes from the Josey Ranch sponsors.
Over the last 40 years, the Josey Ranch has given over $350,000 in scholarships to contestants and students. This year the Josey Ranch gave three scholarships in honor of Thomas Mitchell, late father of Josey Ranch instructor Ty Mitchell, Bobby Arthur, late father to Gary Arhur and brother of Martha Josey, and Paula Muirhead, late Josey Instructor and friend.
Scholarship recipients are chosen after an application process based on their accomplishments and goals for their education. The applications are reviewed by a Josey Ranch committee and selected based on a group decision. Hope Dayli Adkins from Arkansas received the Thomas Mitchell Scholarship, Miriam York, from Hillsboro Missouri, received the Bobby Arthur Scholarship, and Alexis Morgan, from Jasper, Texas, received the Paula Muirhead Scholarship.
The Josey Ranch also gives a Horse with the Most Heart award in remembrance of Martha’s horse “Sonny Bit O' Both”,the only horse in history to win both the AQHA and WPRA world titles in the same year. This year, the selected horse was “Cross Creek Swesome” owned by Stefanie Green from Jacksonville, Texas.
The Josey Ranch also announced the Josey Reunion Purina Horse of the Year on Sunday. As a long-time partner of the Josey Ranch, Purina Horse Feeds partners with the Ranch to award 500 lbs of feed to one horse at both the Josey Reunion and Josey Jr World each year. This year’s Purina Horse of the year was “RQ Quick to Fire” owned by Leanne Louive, traveling from Massillon, Ohio.
Following Cowboy Church, the excitement runs high as the flag presentation marks the start of the short go on Sunday at 11:00 am. Contestants competed at their “A” game while also cheering for their friends and family who they learned next to at Josey clinics.
After previously winning the Josey Reunion in 2020 contestant Cheryl wanted another shot at the championship. Cherly came to compete again as she and “The Bolderdash” topped the leaderboard at a 16.169, holding the spot for over fifty runners to claim her second Josey Reunion Championship.
The 2D was won by Rebecca Toon riding “FF Famous Chilli” with a time of 16.687. The 3D title belonged to Kryslin Smith riding “Streakin Fuel” with a time of 17.180 and the 4D title was claimed by Ashleigh Lewis riding “WF A Sharp Delight” with a time of 18.194. The Senior Champion was Dr. Debbie Guillory and her partner,”A Famous Native” with a 16.911. The Josey Reunion was live streamed by Marks Video Production to 25,000 viewers tuning in from over 25 different states and five different countries.
At the conclusion of the Josey Reunion, the Josey Ranch staff begin preparation for the May 8th Open High Stakes and the Josey Jr World Barrel Race.
Josey Reunion Champion Cheryl Gamboa on "The BolderDash"