Photo by St Joe News Press
The Pony Express and Jesse James - these are the two things that St. Joseph, MO are best known for. In the past nine years however there is a new western legend that has come on the scene. Once a year the city comes alive with the Federation Finals. The popularity has grown into a talked about event.
On March 28 bull riders, personnel, contractors and fans start rolling into town for the four day stay with three performances on March 29-31. The top 25 bull riders in the NFPB insure nothing less than awesome bull riding action.
In round one multi-time qualifier Matt Pojanowski started his run with a 90 point effort aboard Jerry Copp’s bull #2. There was a three way split for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. Missouri’s Matt Moore topped 5J Rodeo’s 4F, fellow Missourian Brent Menz rode Joe Simon’s bull #84, Wisconsin’s Curt Check on Simon’s #21 and Jeremy Gilreath of Minnesota rode Larson/Pettyjohn’s bull #224 for 85 points.
The #1 man James Crider added to his lead in round two with his 90 point ride on Shad Smith’s bull F6. As in round one 2nd, 3rd & 4th was split by three men. Matt Birkenholtz of Iowa rode Jackson Bull Co.’s bull #12. Two time Federation Cup Champion Justin Carlton topped Walkowe Bull Co.’s bull #11 and Jeremy Gilreath again went to the pay window with his 86 point ride on Smith’s bull #-1.
Round three started off with a scary moment. The first bull out hit bull fighter Todd Pettigrew and threw him into the out gate so hard it forced the gate open. The bull then followed Todd in and stayed on top of him. He received staples to the head and stitches. Todd is a tough guy and sure showed it Friday night. The #2 man Curtis Seamans of Arkansas made his move with 85 points along with Curt Check. Seamans rode Walkowe bull #42 and Check topped Scott Burruss’s bull #9. Kyle Jahnke placed 3rd by riding Six Crowns Rodeo Co.’s bull #32. Brent Menz and defending Champion Jermey Harris split 4th. Menz was 80 points on Six Crowns’s bull #71 and Harris rode Walkowe’s # 707.
In round 4 former Federation Cup Champion Curt Check stayed on a roll when he teamed up with Jackson’s N35 to win the round with 87 pts. Brent Menz placed again when he was 85 pts on High Risk bull #30 to split 2nd & 3rd with Illinois bull rider Pee Wee Helmuth who rode Simon’s bull # 903. Arkansas man Jeremy Miller was 4th with 84 pts on Jackson’s bull #6.
Round 5 found Jeremy Miller on top with 88 pts on Simon’s bull 494. Michigan’s John Braska placed 2nd with 86 pts aboard Walkowe’s #32. Missouri’s Erik Hopp put together a 85 with Six Crown’s #32. Brent Menz struck yet again placing 4th on Cory Check’s #24.
In the 6th and final round things came alive! There was some absolutely awesome rides and there was a lot of grit on display. The #2 man Curtis Seamans won the round with 90 pts on Burruss’s #38. This made the year end race extremely tight. It meant that the #1 man James Crider HAD to ride his bull to have a shot at maintaining the lead. Crider successfully rode his bull Jerry Copp’s B14 for 89 pts and split 2nd, 3rd & 4th. The 2003 Federation Cup Champ Ryan Clark was 89 pts on Burruss’s #7 and the 2000 & 2001 Federation Cup Champion Justin Carlton was 89 on Smith’s #118.
James Crider held his lead and became the 2006 Federation Cup Champion and was 2nd in the average. Curtis Seamans won the average. Both men ended the season with over $20,000 won. Congrats to both!!
We also want to acknowledge Justin Carlton on his 9th qualification to the Federation Finals (missing last year by a mere $17) and for this being his 10th straight year as a NFPB member. We are all very proud of you Justin and look forward to the many years and Finals still yet to come.
Thank you to everyone for having another great season and Federation Finals.
Congratulations to the new 2007 Miss NFPB Synda Lockard of Arkansas. We look forward to working with you through out the year. Also, thank you to 2006 Miss NFPB Gretchen Anderson.
Results
Round 1
1. Matt Pojanowski 90 pts on Jerry Copp’s #2
2-5. Matt Moore 85 pts on 5J Rodeo’s 4F
Brent Menz 85 pts on Joe Simon’s #84
Curt Check 85 pts on Simon’s #21
Jeremy Gilreath 85 pts on Larson/Pettyjohn’s #224
Round 2
1. James Crider 90 pts on Shad Smith’s F6
2-4. Matt Birkenholtz 86 pts on Jackson Bull Co.’s #12
Justin Carlton 86 pts on Walkowe Bull Co.’s #11
Jeremy Gilreath 86 pts on Smith’s #-1
Round 3
1/2. Curtis Seamans 85 pts on Walkowe's #42
1/2. Curt Check 85 pts on Burruss’s #9
3. Kyle Jahnke 83 pts on Six Crowns #32
4. Brent Menz 80 pts on Six Crowns #71
Jermey Harris 80 pts on Walkowe’s #707
Round 4
1. Curt Check 87 pts on Jackson’s N35
2/3. Brent Menz 85 pts on High Risk #30
2/3. Pee Wee Helmuth 85 pts on Simon’s # 903
4. Jeremy Miller 84 pts on Jackson’s #6
Round 5
1. Jeremy Miller 88 pts on Simon’s #494
2. John Braska 86 pts on Walkowe’s #32
3. Erik Hopp 85 pts on Six Crown’s #32
4. Brent Menz 80 pts on Check’s #24
Round 6
1. Curtis Seamans 90 pts on Burruss #38
2-4. James Crider 89 pts on Copp’s B14
Ryan Clark 89 pts on Burruss #7
Justin Carlton 89 pts on Smith’s #118
Average
1. Curtis Seamans 342 pts
2. James Crider 338 pts
3. Brent Menz 330 pts
4. Curt Check 257 pts
5. Erik Hopp 249 pts
6. John Braska 246 pts
Awards
Federation Cup Champion - James Crider
Reserve Champion - Curtis Seamans
3rd Year End - Seth Reynolds
4th Year End - Jeremy Miller
Average Champion - Curtis Seamans
Rookie of the Year - Jeremy Miller
Reuben Detweiler - Iron Man Award - Ronny Kitchens
Chip Hume Memorial - High Pt. Ride
Matt Pojanowski - 90 pts.
Curtis Seamans - 90 pts.
James Crider - 90 pts.
Stock Contractor of the Year - Jackson Bull Co.
Stock Contractor of the Finals - 5J Rodeo Co.
Vickie Long Memorial Bull of the Finals - Joe Simon’s #211 Cha Ching
Bull of the Year - Walkowe Bull Co.’s #X711 Bell Hop
Producer of the Year - Jackson-Walkowe Productions
Event of the Year
Sedalia, Mo
JS Pro Rodeo, Jackson Bull Co. & Walkowe Bull Co.
New Event of the Year - Rothbury, MI - Six Crowns Rodeo Co.
2007 Miss NFPB
Synda Lockard
Judges
Adam Proctor
Mike Gillum
Jerry Downs
Bullfighters
Brandon Brazier
Todd Pettigrew
Chris Lewis
Barrel Man
Shawn “Boom Boom” Thompson
Announcer
Chris Pyle
To order a video of the 2007 Federation Finals call
715-536-9867
For more photos of the 2007 Federation Finals visit