Tradition is no stranger to the Josey Ranch with a rich history of hosting barrel racing schools, clinics, and races. This year another tradition has been continued with the conclusion of the 2nd annual Josey Senior Gold Cup Barrel Race.
The inaugural year of the Josey Senior Gold Cup was a success in 2023, bringing over 200 contestants to Marshall, Texas to compete. With high demand for a second year, the Josey Ranch started planning immediately at the conclusion of last year’s race.
“These are the generations that have built the barrel racing and rodeo we see today,” explained World Champion barrel Racer Martha Josey. “We wanted to have a race just for them to show our appreciation for what they have contributed to the sport. Everyone loved it so much last year we decided to have it again!”
The event kicked off at 6 pm on Thursday, October 10th with a meet and greet dinner hosted at Mattie’s Porch on the Josey Ranch. The night was full of music, laughter, and stories from generations of rodeo contestants and Triple Crown partner Lance Graves alongside hostess Martha Josey.
The action started the next morning with the first long go of the race. Contestants from 10 different states competed for a spot in Sunday’s short go. The top 15 in each division would qualify for the final day of the race. Friday’s race was won by Debbie Bloxom, from Stephenville, TX and her partner “Shake The Flame” with a quick time of 16.474.
The second day of competition brought the same competitive and joyful energy as contestants took another trip down the alleyway with their sights set on short go Sunday. Saturday’s race brought another tough leaderboard as Debbie Bloxom and “Shake The Flame” ran a 16.217 setting a new Senior Gold Cup record winning both long go’s of the competition.
Taking the top 15 barrel racers in each division each day the short go filled to 126 barrel racers who were running for the coveted Josey Gold Cup, Circle Y Martha Josey Gold Buckle Saddle, and Shea Michelle Buckle.
The excitement ran high as the flag presentation marked the start of the short go on Sunday at 11:00 am after Cowboy Church. Rhonda Hudson Dowding and her partner “RB Rare French Kiss” qualified for the short go on Friday with a 16.812 and took Saturday off to prepare for their short go run on Sunday. The rest paid off as they set the pace with a 16.393 in the short go to win the race. Following closely behind them was the familiar pair of Debbie Bloxom and “Shake The Flame” as the reserve champions with a 16.414.
The 2D was won by Lisa Sanders from Pleasant Hill, LA riding “Sippenonfirewater” with a time of 16.938. The 3D title belonged to Billie Ruth Hankins from Linden, TX riding “Firewater Streakin” with a time of 17.397, the 4D title was claimed by Joanne Jones from Vidor, TX riding “Aint Seen These Eyes” with a time of 17.944, and the 5D title went to Shawn Gillette from Arkansas City, KS and his partner “Leos DC A DOO Lady” with a time of 18.501.
The Josey Senior Gold Cup Race is the second leg of the Triple Crown Senior World Championship Barrel Race. The final leg will be 2024 Senior Only Barrel Bash in Hutchinson, KS on October 18th – 20th.