Kay Blandford doesn’t like to waste any opportunities, which is why she spent a majority of her weekend commuting from Waco to Odessa.
The 1973 Odessa High graduate traveled between both cities so she could participate in two events — the Texas Circuit Finals Rodeo and the 79th SandHills Stock Show and Rodeo — to try and earn a paycheck.
Blandford took part in the morning slack of the women’s barrel racing, which started at 7 a.m. Monday inside the Ector County Coliseum. She recorded a time of 19.47 after being penalized five seconds for knocking over the third barrel during her run.
“I made a mistake on the last barrel,” she said as she shook her head. “I’ll still get another shot at a better time on my second go-round though. That’s the good thing about slack, you get another chance (Wednesday) to improve.”
More than 160 barrel riders and 65 steer wrestlers participated in slack Monday morning in an attempt to record the fastest time and earn a portion of purse money. The Top 10 fastest times in the barrel races will divide a purse of $13,569 into varying percentages, with first place taking home the largest amount, SandHills spokeswoman Brooke Turner said. The steer wrestlers will vie for a purse of $10,416.
“It gives everyone a shot, that’s what I love about slack,” Blandford said. “If a person has a great run, they have a shot at winning some money.”
Rodeo competitors are entered into slack when there are more participants entered in the rodeo than the number of open spots during the performances.
The barrel racers and steer wrestlers completed the first go-round Monday morning and will have their second runs on Wednesday morning. Tie down roping, team roping and steer roping slack also will take place Wednesday morning and be held inside the Coliseum.
Blandford said she would take a few visits to family and friends in the area during the 79th SandHills Stock Show and Rodeo.
“It’s always nice to return to Odessa,” she said, “but, I’m also here to try and earn a paycheck.”
Lauren Cox, of Cotulla, which is south of San Antonio, said she finds slack helpful.
“My 14-year-old quarter horse (Tom) likes to run indoors, and in front of small crowds,” the 22-year-old rider said. “So, it’s an advantage for me to participate in these kinds of events because he’s more comfortable.”
Cox, who recorded a time of 14.62, will pack her bags once the SandHills ends, and travel to the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in Denver.
“You’re always going,” she said. “That’s why it’s important to never hold back during every barrel run.”
“The travel is a grind, but I love every second that I’m out there racing,” she said. “I also get to see and talk to people I haven’t seen in a few months, which is always a good thing.”
>> Follow Carlos Silva Jr. on Twitter at @OASilvaJr
SLACK SCHEDULE
>> 7 a.m. Wednesday:
Women’s barrels: Second go-rounds
Team roping: First go-rounds
Tie-down: First go-rounds
>> 8 a.m. Thursday:
Team Roping: Second go-rounds
Tie-down: Second go-rounds
>> 9 a.m. Friday:
Steer roping: Two go-rounds
>> 9 a.m. Saturday:
Steer roping: Two go-rounds