Whitaker puts on show at Dodge Great Lakes Circuit Finals Rodeo.

photo courtesy of Maureen Panno

article courtesy of the PRCA, Nov. 12, 2007

Kyle Whitaker, a five-time Linderman Award winner, showed the full range of his versatility at the Dodge Great Lakes Circuit Finals Rodeo, presented by USST, Nov. 8-10, at Freedom Hall in Louisville, Ky. Whitaker was the rodeo's all-around champion with wins at both ends of the arena, claiming the average title in steer wrestling with a time of 12.5 seconds on three head and the average title in the saddle bronc riding with 209 points on three head.

He was also second in the tie-down roping average with a time of 30.1 seconds to Matt Kenney's 26.6.

photo courtesy of Maureen Panno

It was Whitaker's sixth all-around title in the Great Lakes Circuit, his third win in saddle bronc riding, second in steer wrestling and 11th overall.

photo courtesy of Maureen Panno

The weekend event's other winners were Josh Shackleford and Bo Casper, who tied for the bareback riding title with 251 points on three head, team ropers Wayne Knutson and Ryan Powell (24.3 seconds on three runs) and bull rider Jason Kircher (85 points on one head). Tammy Whyte won the barrel racing title (45.11 seconds in three runs) at a separate event in Madison, Ind., Oct. 24.

All of the event winners move on to the Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo, presented by USST, next March in Pocatello, Idaho, along with the other circuit finals champions and the regular-season points leaders, where they will compete for cash and a one-year lease to a new Dodge pick-up.

Year-end winners in each of the PRCA's 12 circuits, as well as the average winners at each circuit finals rodeo, earn a berth to the DNCFR, held each March in Pocatello, Idaho. The top 24 contestants in each event battle it out at the DNCFR for the title of national champion.

The PRCA circuit system was created in 1975 to recognize competitors who might never have a chance to qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. The circuit cowboys and cowgirls compete throughout the year in a designated circuit (usually near their home), and top competitors from each circuit qualify for their circuit's finals.