Popko wins CHSRA go-round at Hemet

Kerry Popko won the first Pole Bending go-round at the California High School Rodeo Association District 8 competition April 15 at Hemet.

Popko had a time of 21.06 seconds to win the go-round. She knocked down a pole on her second run, incurring a five-second penalty, and finished tenth in the average.

Popko’s first run turned out to be the fastest of the morning session despite failing to complete the course in under 21 seconds. “That’s fast for that arena,” Popko said.

Tyla Treasure was second in the first go-round with a time of 21.24 seconds while Melanie Miller placed third at 21.30 seconds.

There was no rain in Hemet during the first go-round, but the storm hit Zak Ranch by the afternoon run. “The weather was horrible out there,” Popko said.

“It was really rainy,” Popko said. “It was really, really cold out, so the conditions weren’t good at all.”

Even without the five-second penalty for hitting a pole, Popko and her horse, Banjo, got off to a slow start. “He stumbled coming around the first pole,” Popko said. “He just couldn’t catch himself.”

The five-second penalty gave Popko a time of 27.50 seconds, which did not place in the go-round. Popko’s average (aggregate) of 48.56 seconds on two runs placed her tenth, giving her a single point for her position in the average.

That point allowed Popko to maintain second place in the season standings. Popko ended the rodeo with 143 points while Carollann Scott now has 142 points. “If I would have kept it up I would have not had to worry about her,” Popko said of Scott’s chase for second place.

Popko’s lack of points in the second go-round and single point in the average allowed Miller to clinch the year-end District 8 championship. The last rodeo of the season will take place May 6 at Camp Pendleton’s Ace Bowen Rodeo Grounds, and while Popko has already clinched a berth in the state finals her goal is to maintain second place. “I’m just trying to be consistent right now,” she said.

Popko realizes that a strong performance at Camp Pendleton will be necessary to stay ahead of Scott. “I have to keep my poles up ‘cause she’s a consistent rider,” Popko said.