Peterson outlasted Blandford for ‘96 title

Thursday, Dec. 4, 1997 | 1:48 a.m.

Barrel racer Kristie Peterson competes on a former feed lot horse named Bozo she bought for $400.

But when it comes to earning money, the pair certainly doesn't clown around.

In December at the National Finals Rodeo, Peterson and Bozo won three go-rounds and tied for first in another to earn $77,792, including an $18,209 check for placing first in the average, competition. Peterson also won her second world championship in three years.

And the best may be yet to come, since Bozo is only 9 years old.

"They say horses reach their prime at age 10," said Peterson of Elbert, Colo. "So he's got some good years left."

Peterson outdueled Kay Blandford of Stockdale, Texas, for the championship. Blandford entered the NFR in third place, behind Peterson and Sherry Cervi, but came in first in five go-rounds and placed in all but one to earn $78,731 and move into second place.

Blandford and her horse Llave came within a tenth of a second of winning the average crown.

"I'm not disappointed," Blandford said. "You can't be disappointed when you've just won $78,000."

An example of how close Peterson and Blandford were came in the final six rounds. Peterson won the fifth with a time of 14.18 seconds; Blandford was right behind at 14.24 seconds. Blandford won the sixth go-round at 13.97 seconds and the seventh at 14.01 seconds -- the two best times at the NFR -- but Peterson was second both times at 14.07 and 14.13, respectively.

Peterson won the eighth go-round at 14.10 seconds and Blandford won the ninth at 14.19 seconds. Fittingly, the two tied for first in the final go-round, both posting 14.11-second runs.

"You always feel pressure," Peterson said. "I could have lost it in the final round, but Bozo was running real strong. We turned all three barrels and left them standing and that was the important thing to do."

Turning barrels at a fast speed has given Bozo more than $500,000 in earnings. That's a far cry from Peterson's initial investment, or the cash she nearly sold the horse for six years ago.

"I had (Bozo) for sale when he was a 3-year-old for $2,500," Peterson said. "Someone even came out to look at him but his feet were in pretty bad shape and they decided not to buy him.

"Now he's not for sale. Never will be."

* World Titles: 1994, 96 World Champion Barrel Racer.

* Hometown: Elbert, Colo..

* 1996 Earnings: $170,083.

* 1996 NFR Earnings: $77,793.

* Year Joined WPRA: 1990.