July 18-27, 2025
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By Susan Kanode
Sydni Blanchard and Famous Heartbreaker stopped the clock in 17.46 seconds to win the first round of barrel racing at Cheyenne Frontier Days –- photo by Dan Hubbell
Cheyenne, Wyo — In an event that is timed in hundredths of a second, beating nearly 200 other competitors by a tenth of a second is huge.
That happened in the first round of barrel racing at Cheyenne Frontier Days on Tuesday where all of the barrel racers had an opportunity to advance to the second round of competition. Sydni Blanchard from Albuquerque, N.M., had the fastest time of the day at 17.46 seconds. That earned the former college champion and Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) qualifier a whopping $6,212.
Blanchard’s success came aboard her big sorrel mare named Famous Heartbreaker. Prior to her run in Cheyenne, she was 61st in the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association world standings with $14,040 in season earnings. If her success at Frontier Park continues, she could make a significant move in the standings and have an opportunity to qualify for her third NFR.
The barrel racers competed in what is known as slack on Tuesday. This gives more contestants an opportunity to compete at one of the oldest and most prestigious rodeos in the nation. Slack continues on Wednesday with steer ropers and tie-down ropers starting their first round.
Action kicks off Friday afternoon with the Cinch Rodeo Shoot-Out, beginning at 12:15 p.m.
CHEYENNE, Wyo., July 19, 2016 — The following are first round barrel racing results from the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo.
Barrel Racing: 1, Sydni Blanchard, Albuquerque, N.M., 17.46 seconds, $6,212. 2, Tillar Murray, Fort Worth, Texas, 17.56, $5,324. 3, Mary Burger, Pauls Valley, Okla., 17.69, $4,437. 4, Mary Walker, Ennis, Texas, 17.70, $3,845. 5, (tie) Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D., and Kelly Tovar, Rockdale, Texas, 17.71, $2,662 each. 7, Jana Griemsman, Piedmont, S.D., 17.73, $1,775. 8, Kelly Yates, Pueblo, Colo., 17.74, $1,183. 9, (tie) Jane Melby, Burneyville, Okla., and Megan Swint, Lithia, Fla., 17.78, $739.