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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
   
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | roman - 2014-10-03 9:28 AM Thank you for remembering him. This is Sharon. When I first got him as a gangly 2 year old I was boarding at a world champion halter barn. Bumper had a large brow and was far from halter head material. Several comments were made about his head and I remember saying he is not here for the halter class. So one of my greatest long time best friends, Joy Pirkle ( who actually found him for me), said 'that's his speed bump' and it stuck:)
I was wondering how he got his name. Now I know  |
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Veteran
Posts: 100
| I'm still looking for a video or picture of him, Sharon said she will scan one when she gets home but I did find this great article!
In Horse Events, Some Winnings Transcend Cash
Bryan Painter| October 6, 1996
Sharon Smith of Dibble wasn't about to gamble with the health of a friend.
From when her horse Bumper was 2 years old, she had done more than own the horse. Smith had developed a friendship - a partnership.
This year, she was faced with what for some would have been a dilemma.
Bumper had been out of competition for more than a dozen weeks with a pulled hamstring, and the deadline to enter the famed Calgary Stampede rodeo was approaching.
Smith had been doing straight-line riding on the horse, and just before the entry deadline, she tested him.
A barrel went down, but she was happy.
Had he still been hurting, there would have been no dilemma. She simply wouldn't have entered.
"When he was hurt, I told my vet (Dr. David McCarroll) that I was prepared to take the entire year off if needed, and he said that wasn't necessary," she said. "He gives me sound advice."
Smith and the 10-year-old sorrel gelding not only entered but placed in the average of the rodeo and then made history. Each year, Calgary offers a $50,000 bonus in the three bucking events as well as in the timed events of calf roping and steer wrestling.
This year, they offered a $50,000 bonus in barrel racing. Smith and Bumper proudly claimed it.
"I was just sitting Sharon Smith there, because realistically you never think you could be the one to win it," Smith said of the $50,000 payoff. "When we did, it was a dream come true ."
Although the comeback from injury made the win a story of legendary proportions, Smith and Bumper were familiar with finishing first.
In 1995, they won the 89er Days PRCA/WPRA Rodeo at the Lazy E Arena with a 17.03. That initiated a streak that continued in October 1995 at the Dodge Prairie Circuit Finals at the same arena.
Smith and Bumper, whose registered name is Speed Money, won all three rounds and the average.
About two months later at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Smith placed in three go-rounds and the average for $17,765 as she went on to finish seventh in the Women's Professional Rodeo Association world standings.
"I've always known in my heart that he's made my life completely happy," she said. "He's just a great horse."
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Veteran
Posts: 100
| Sharon has a very promising colt affectionately called Garland (Sharon LOVES Christmas), so much so she actually wrote a children's book called, The Legend of The Reindeer Shoes! Garland is actually by Designer Red, so his sire is Bumper's brother, pretty cool! She feels Garland has Bumper's drive and she is very excited about him. He has been just getting better every run and now she is just working on their timing, as he is wicked fast. They have been placing at the top at the last few shows and just keeping getting faster! |
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 Vodka for Lunch
Location: Lala Land | Done! Hope she wins! |
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 Queen Boobie mascot
Posts: 706
Location: Mayerthorpe Alberta | CanadianRacer - 2014-10-03 10:30 AM
Done : ) He was one of my favorite horses of all time! Does anyone have any pictures or better yet a video of him they can share? He was so cool!
Hey Marci, can you figure out how to share this on FB so we can get more votes rolling in? |
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 Chasin my Dream
Posts: 13651
Location: Alberta | Done  |
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Regular
Posts: 56
Location: Oklahoma | I remember that NFR that Speed Money got hurt. I had taped the performance but couldn't watch it at home so I brought it to work. (I was a teacher at the time) I had my students working on an assignment and turned it on for us to watch. Needless to say, I burst out in tears in front of my whole class when I saw it. I will never forget that. It was very sad. If I'm not mistaken, didn't Dr. McCarroll jump the wall and run to the horse when it happened?? I loved that horse. Really glad she has a prospect that is related to him and sounds promising. |
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Veteran
Posts: 100
| Any help with getting this to Facebook would be so appreciated, I do not have a Facebook so I can't do it. In response to the injury on Bumper, yes Dr. McCarroll was there for that round and did jump the wall to assist. He also helped take care of him that night on his way to California to get surgery. Everyone loved Bumper and Sharon, they were just a once in a lifetime pair that gave everything they had every run.
I have also found out that we have until December 15th to get her nominated for The American, then between December 15th and January 15th they will take the people with the top ten votes and let the voting start again.
I appreciate and so does Sharon all of the votes and stories everyone has shared, I will bump this post as December 15th gets closer.
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!! |
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 Party Gal
Posts: 3432
Location: fun meter pegged OK | Done and good luck! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1114
Location: CA | Can someone tell me how an exemption spot works? Such as; are there x amount of spaces held out for individuals that have achieved over a certain amount ,or x amt of NFR qualifications, are they for PRCA and WPRA, how many signatures are required? Great concept.
Edited by allaboutme 2014-10-03 7:50 PM
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  Rebel Without a Cause
Posts: 2758
Location: Adopt a homeless pet - www.petfinder.com! | Voted for her, and happy to do so! |
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Regular
Posts: 71
| Thank you for remembering us and also feeling a loss, I know it takes something out of you to feel sorry for such an event. I am sorry it occupied your thoughts and am appreciative of your compassion. |
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Regular
Posts: 71
| Possibly I replied to the wrong blog but I am appreciative of your compassion. |
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 The Vaccinator
Posts: 3810
Location: Slipping down the slope of old age. Boo hoo. | DONE!!!!!!!!!!! |
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Regular
Posts: 78
| Done! Sharon I remember you from way back and you were so very helpful to me and made me feel so welcome when I first started running hard in the WPRA with my card. I have never forgotten you for that. Nor your way of making everyone laugh no matter how bad the weather or ground was. And I had a really crappy run on a new horse and you made me laugh after that. I have often wondered what became of you after the devastating loss at that years NFR. Good to see you back running again and on such a nice horse! I have voted and will continue to do so everytime I come across someone else's computer if they have not already placed a vote. Good luck!  |
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Regular
Posts: 71
| Thank you for taking the time to write, it means a lot to me. If I get to go by the exemption I will give it all Ive got. Im not saying my horse can outrun them all and I dang sure cant outride many of them but I do know you cant win if you don't go:) |
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Pig-Bear Dog Lover
| done! |
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Regular
Posts: 78
| Happy to do anything I can!
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 Veteran
Posts: 141
Location: Centerville, TN | Firefighter wife, I just voted for Sharon. I remember her and Speed Money, I saw them at Priceville, AL. I use to own a half brother to Speed Money. |
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| I remember seeing Sharon and Bumper running at OKC his futurity year. All I could say was WOW!! Then watched their success through to the terrible night at the NFR when they made their last run. A class duo the whole way. She has my vote too. DONE! |
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