Top pros get set to buckle up
Rodeo: Timed Event Championship

By Ed Godfrey

Published: March 9, 2007

Three cowboys have won four Timed Event Championship buckles. One of them could make it a fifth this weekend.

The 23rd annual Timed Event Championship opens tonight at the Lazy E Arena, and this year's "Ironman” of pro rodeo might be historic.

Last year, Texas roper Trevor Brazile won his third Timed Event crown in four years, tying him with Wyoming's K.C. Jones and South Dakota's Paul Tierney for the most championships. Jones finished second and Tierney was third last year.

The trio is back this year along with 17 other cowboys who have been invited by the Lazy E Arena to take part in pro rodeo's most unique event.

The top 20 timed event cowboys in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association will compete over three days in five events: tie-down roping, steer roping, heading, heeling and steer wrestling.

Today's professional rodeo cowboys no longer compete in multiple events, but specialize in one or possibly two. The Wrangler Timed Event Championship was created by the Lazy E in 1985 to determine the best all-around timed event cowboy in the world.

Ticket prices range from $20 to $37. Tickets for children ages 10 and younger are $7, but they will be admitted free by bringing an empty Pepsi can.

Group discounts are also available. Partial proceeds from the Wrangler Timed Event Championship will benefit the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City.

Tickets are available at all ticketmaster outlets, www.ticketmaster.com or by calling the Lazy E Arena at (800) 595-7433.