Gail Petska Explained

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. 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.

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]

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

References

Bibliography

External links

Notes and References

  1. 2021 WPRA NFR Media Guide Barrel Racing World Champions 1948 - 2020, 1995, 1999, 2010, 2013 World Champion, p. 7.
  2. Web site: Santos . Kendra . Real-Deal Royal Royalty . The Team Roping Journal . December 10, 2018 . October 16, 2019.
  3. Web site: The Official NFR Experience . NFR Experience . October 16, 2019.
  4. Book: Robbins . Tom . Even Cowgirls Get the Blues . Random House Publishing Group . December 21, 2019 . June 17, 2003. 9780553897890 .
  5. Web site: Rodeo Runs In Petskas' Blood . Oklahoman.com . October 16, 2019 . 30 September 1994.
  6. Web site: Cheyenne Frontier Days Media Guide . Cheyenne Frontier Days . October 16, 2019.
  7. 2020 Media GuideNational Finals Rodeo, Earnings Records; Round-win Records, p. 7.
  8. Web site: Past Rodeo Champions . RodeoHouston . October 16, 2019.