The 2024 Columbia River Circuit Finals was nothing short of nail biting, with Year-End Champion Mattie Tuner putting together a massive earning spree to finish with $22,198, while Average Champion Josie Goodrich made the most of a rerun—roping three head in 8.7 seconds.
Columbia River Circuit Year-End Champion: Mattie Turner
According to Turner, her year-end chances were a “long shot.” But with a check in every go round and the average totaling $6,588, she surpassed season leader Jennifer Casey by less than $1K.
“Winning this means a lot, especially with all the adversity I’ve faced the last 12 months,” Turner, 28, said. “I remember around this time last year when my good horse Sanchez died from colic, I thought, ‘Where do I go from here? I’m at rock bottom.’ And my living quarters’ frame had snapped. I was starting again with a 3-year-old, so to rodeo this year, it made me appreciate it all more. And to win the Circuit Title, it’s amazing.”
Armed with 4-year-old gelding “Donnie,” Turner roped in 2.9, 3.3 and 2.7 seconds, finishing No. 2 in the average with a time of 8.9 seconds on three.
“This is the best I’ve ever done at the Circuit Finals,” Turner said. “I think [my composure was better] because I was riding a young horse and you can’t get too worked up.”
Turner praised Donnie’s confidence throughout the year, recalling how she’d planned to cut back on circuit rodeos if it was clear he couldn’t take the pressure… but that moment never came.
“I wasn’t going to jeopardize his future for the sake of rodeoing,” Turner said. “But he seemed to get better each rodeo I went to. He’s really cool and honest.”
Turner came into the Circuit Finals with winnings including $3,156 in Redmond, OR, and $2,058 in Newport, WA. But despite more than $15K on her ledger, it was still a tough climb to become the Columbia River Circuit Year-End Champion.
“I just wanted to go score, get into a good position and rope every calf,” Turner said.
Looking ahead to 2025, Turner hopes to venture outside the circuit to continue seasoning Donnie.
Columbia River Circuit Finals Average Champion: Josie Goodrich
Goodrich’s Circuit Finals was simultaneously one of the highest points of her year and one of the most nerve wracking because of the rerun she was granted following an error in Round 1.
“In the first round, I hit my rope on the fence coming out of the box,” Goodrich explained, “But there had been no catches so I was thinking ‘average!’ So, I was ready to go catch my calf and get a time no matter what. But as I was chasing my calf with my messed up rope, the gate guys at the back let my calf out. And I was like, ‘Oh, I thought I had 30 seconds to try to rope. This was a closed gate rodeo.'”
Indeed, Goodrich’s calf was supposed to be kept in the arena. And to add to the awkward moment, the judge didn’t flag the time, meaning Goodrich got a rerun with a clean slate.
“There were definitely people with mixed feelings about it,” Goodrich said. “I felt so much pressure, because I got a second chance and you usually don’t get that in rodeo. I knew I needed to make the best of what I was given and make a practice run. Score and rope my calf.”
Roping in 2.8 seconds, and then 3.0 and 2.9 in the following rounds, Goodrich earned a total of $8,384 in the go-rounds and average. The win was especially sweet for Goodrich following a tough year of ProRodeoing outside the Columbia River Circuit for the first time.
“This summer my dad told me, ‘You’re paying your dues,'” Goodrich said. “‘Go back out there and try again.’ And now I have a better idea of what’s out there and what to expect. After the season I had, this really helps me and my confidence a lot.”
Now boosted by her Circuit win, Goodrich is looking forward to 2025 with trusty mare “Ruby.” Bred to be a cutter, Rosie sports a short and stout build with a love of tracking beef. They pair have rodeoed together for three years, and Goodrich calls her “the full package.”
2024 Columbia River Circuit Finals Results
First round: 1. Josie Goodrich, 2.8 seconds, $2,395; 2. Mattie Turner, 2.9, $1,797; 3. Britni Carlson, 3.4, $1,198; 4. Rylee Hansen, 3.6, $599.
Second round: 1. Kennedy Buckner, 2.7 seconds, $2,395; 2. Josie Goodrich, 3.0, $1,797; 3. Jordan Minor, 3.1, $1,198; 4. Mattie Turner, 3.3, $599.
Third round: 1. Sarah Morrissey, 2.1 seconds, $2,395; 2. (tie) Josie Reno and Mattie Turner, 2.7, $1,497 each; 4. Josie Goodrich, 2.9, $599.
Average: 1. Josie Goodrich, 8.7 seconds on three head, $3,593; 2. Mattie Turner, 8.9, $2,695; 3. Jordan Minor, 6.5 on two head, $1,797; 4. Rylee Hansen, 7.0, $898.
