NOT THE TYPICAL 9-TO-5 JOB; WOMEN RIDE FOR THE MONEY ON WPRA'S BARREL-RACING CIRCUIT

Don't let the long hair and pretty smiles fool you, these girls can ride! Although it's hard to rise through the popularity ranks with the older and more prominent men's version, the Women's Professional Rodeo Association has fast become a full-fledged part of the rugged sport of professional rodeo.

The Women's Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) was started in 1948 by a group of ranch women and has since evolved into an organized professional sport made up of women who earn a good part of their income barrel racing at rodeos across the nation.

The Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo last week featured some of the nation's best.

Although barrel racing lacks some of the rough-and-tumble physical action of men's rodeo, women's rodeo still has its share of excitement.

Riding a quick-stepping quarter horse full-tilt through a maze of barrels can be as challenging for the women as it is thrilling for fans.

In some cases, such as reigning WPRA Champion Cindy Wright of Shirley, Ind., it might also seem a little silly. Wright is five months pregnant with her third child, but as long as she feels well, her doctor has given her the green light to compete.

"I'm very competitive and it's a challenge to be able to ride and do well," she said.

Wright hopes to again rank high in the standings at the end of the year, despite the unfortunate timing of the Great Lakes Circuit Championships in November, only a month before her due date.

Even the competitive Wright admits it would be difficult to justify competing at eight months pregnant.

She said it's difficult to compare the women's version of rodeo, which features only the single event, with the men's professional rodeo. But she said the competition, camaraderie and pure pleasure of the sport is the same regardless of the sex of the athlete.

Wright said that unlike some cowgirls, she has little interest in experimenting with men's events like bull riding, bronco busting and steer wrestling.

"I have no interest in those other categories," she said. "I want to ride barrels. I had a (United Parcel Service) man come to my door about a year ago and he was shocked to learn I won the nationals last year.

"He said, `But you're so feminine.' That's the thing about barrel racing: it is a women's sport; it's something we can do."

Patti Campbell of Crandon, Wis., finished fourth overall at the Bootheel Rodeo last year. She said that although women's rodeo now features large, attractive prize purses, all the cowgirls barrel race for the joy of the competition and riding.

"You also really meet a lot of great people that you run into week after week," she said.

Teresa Stephens of Warsaw, Ind., has been barrel racing for only about five years. But she said that even the most experienced riders consider professional rodeo a hobby.

"For me, the pleasure of barrel racing is when things really work out," Stephens said. "You ride at home and work at home, but when things come together at a rodeo it's a big thrill.

"It's not just the money or the power of the people; it's just the best feeling knowing when you've done the work and things come together."

The three cowgirls agreed that the Sikeston rodeo is one of the nation's elite.

"It's considered one of the best," said Campbell. "For the most part, the facilities are pretty good, the grounds are good and there's good money.

"The down side is that on Wednesday night it was real dry and Thursday it rained, so you're competing against the conditions too.

"What you hope is that through the course of the season, it all evens out and you get your share of good with the bad."

Most of the cowgirls have other financial interests in addition to rodeo. Campbell raises horses in Wisconsin and Stephens works for her family's excavating firm.

Stephens also works for the WPRA during the year trying to secure donations for national awards. The top 12 money-winners from the various circuits are eligible to compete in the grand circuit finals for the awards.

Campbell said women's rodeo, like men's, isn't cheap. She said a good barrel horse can cost $30,000 to $40,000. But she said the price is justified.

"It doesn't matter how well you ride if you don't have a good partner," she said.

Campbell and Wright both have trained their own horses for barrel racing. Wright last year sold the horse that helped bring her a national championship. But she said her new horse, a trade from her father, also has placed consistently this year.

"It was my dad's steer-roping horse," Wright said. "He's really come along nice, but it usually takes a good six months to get them trained and accustomed to competitive barrel racing."

Wright said rodeo is a family affair. Her husband works in a bank, which helps pay the bills, while she makes the 10-month circuit.

She said a successful rodeo season last year she cleared more than $10,000 also boosts her business. She raises and trains quarter horses. She said the breed is a favorite for barrel racing. "They've got very quick speed and they're real athletic for tight turns."

Although she'll miss the Great Lakes Circuit Finals, she can still qualify for the national circuit finals in March. If she qualifies, you can bet she'll be there, along with her 3-month-old baby.

Wright said the third child she has two daughters, ages 9 and 2 will be her last. But don't expect the baby, or the fact that she's already achieved the highest goal any cowgirl could eye, to keep her from barrel racing.

"It's just something that's in your blood," she said. "The challenge is always there to do it another year. That's in the past, and this year's a new year. I'm going for it again."