Gail Petska

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Gail Petska is a two-time American World Barrel Racing Champion. In December 1972 and 1973, she won the championship at the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) at the State Fair Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.[1]

Life[]

Gail Petska married Paul Petska, a professional team roper. Paul qualified for the NFR four times. They had three children. When their son Cory grew up, he became a world champion heeler in team roping. Cory also married four-time world champion barrel racer Sherry Cervi. Sherry qualified for the NFR 19 times. She became winner of the most money in the event with $3.5 million.[2][3]

Career[]

Petska competed in the Girls' Rodeo Association (GRA). In 1973, she earned $19,448 by competing in bull riding, calf-roping, barrel racing, and goat tying in the GRA. She was living in Tecumseh, Oklahoma, at the time.[4]

Petska won the World Barrel Racing Championship twice on a small horse she named Dobie.[2] Her GRA world championships are now recognized by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and the Women's Professional Rodeo Association.[1]

When Petska won the world championship in 1972, at the State Fair Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, she won seven of the ten go-rounds. Then she won again in 1973. She had a strong lead in 1974, but got the news that another Petska was on the way. No third title for Gail.[5] Petska won the NFR Average Championship in 1972.[5][3]

Petska won the barrel racing event at Cheyenne Frontier Days in Cheyenne, Wyoming, twice, in 1972 and in 1973.[6] She also won the NFR Average in 1972.[1]

Petska won 13 consecutive go-rounds in the NFR, which is still a record. She still holds the record for the most rounds won at the NFR in the barrel racing event in one year with 7 rounds.[7][2][5][3]

Petska won the barrel racing event at RodeoHouston in Houston, Texas, twice, once in 1974 and once in 1976.[8]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c 2020 Media Guide – Barrel Racing Records, 1972, 1973 World Champion Barrel Racer, p. 9.
  2. ^ a b c Santos, Kendra. "Real-Deal Royal Royalty". The Team Roping Journal. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
  3. ^ a b c "The Official NFR Experience". NFR Experience. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
  4. ^ Robbins, Tom (June 17, 2003). Even Cowgirls Get the Blues. Random House Publishing Group. ISBN 9780553897890. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
  5. ^ a b c "Rodeo Runs In Petskas' Blood". Oklahoman.com. September 30, 1994. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
  6. ^ "Cheyenne Frontier Days Media Guide" (PDF). Cheyenne Frontier Days. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
  7. ^ 2020 Media Guide – National Finals Rodeo, Earnings Records; Round-win Records, p. 7.
  8. ^ "Past Rodeo Champions". RodeoHouston. Retrieved October 16, 2019.

Bibliography[]

External links[]

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