JIM RODGERS - OVERALL CHAMPION

TEAL RODGERS-HENKEL - CHAMPION COWGIRL

AUDREY HENSLEY - CHAMPION JUNIOR

PHILLIP MURPHY – CELEBRITY MEN'S CHAMPION

MARY SHAW – CELEBRITY WOMEN’S CHAMPION

The COLT INVITATIONAL, held in 1998 in Las Vegas, Nevada, is now being recognized as a mile stone in the development of Cowboy Mounted Shooting. As a competition it was a contest between "the best of the best", with the top 25 men, top 10 women and the top 5 juniors from across the country. Contestants the top contestants from across the United States were chosen by the seven member Colt Invitational Committee. Each committee member voted independently and the riders receiving the most votes in their respective category received invitations to the shoot. Also included in the shooting agenda were two celebrity classes one for men and one for women. The majority of the celebrity participants were PRCA Rodeo Contestants, who were also competing in the National Finals Rodeo, including 1997 World Champion All Around Cowboy, Joe Beaver.

Rodeo Video Incorporated taped the event for Fox cable Television. The Fox Sunshine Channel aired the program on January 2nd and 8th. Other Fox Cable Channels may air the event later this spring. For times and dates monitor the CMSA Web Page. Also see the advertisement in this issue of The Rundown to purchase a copy of the tape from Rodeo Video Incorporated.

The competition was conducted according to CMSA Rules with all contestants competing in the first stage. The quality of contestants was the finest ever assembled at one place and time. It is an understatement to say the competition was awesome. The celebrities competed among themselves on the same course of fire as stage one . After the celebrities finished their runs each without exception gave a glowing testimonial embracing Cowboy Mounted Shooting as a spectacular timed event with a great future. These testimonials will be a great help in the recognition of our sport as a main line equestrian timed event.

At the conclusion of the celebrity stage the top twelve men, top five women and top three juniors from stage one were called to compete as finalists in stage two. Indicative of the fierce competition is the fact that only 1.33 seconds separated the top ten contestants going into stage two. The slate was wiped clean and every rider started at zero. It was all or nothing. The fastest times in stage two determined Colt Invitational Champions. Both speed and coolness under fire were the ingredients needed to win. As the smoke cleared it was all Arizona. Father and Daughter Jim Rodgers and Teal Rodgers-Henkel emerged with the coveted titles of Overall Champion and Champion Cowgirl respectively. The Junior Champion was the incredible fifteen year old Audrey Hensley.

We may never again see such an intense single stage competition with fractions of seconds separating the winners in all three categories. Everyone who attended had a great time in Las Vegas and all left with some memories that will last a lifetime.

FINALISTS