Stevi Hillman and Famous Lemon Drop clocked the fastest run so far at the WCRA Utah Days of ‘47 Rodeo on Thursday, July 21 with a blazing 17.111, earning $1,600 and securing a spot in the Gold Medal Round on Monday.

“This rodeo pays really good and we’re just thankful to have the invite to come here and be a part of it,” Hillman said. “Our plans changed last minute, so this is a huge blessing.”

The second round was stacked with fierce competition including 2x NFR Qualifier and 2021 DO47 Champion, Wenda Johnson, who finished second with a 17.183 and reigning World Champion Jordon Briggs who finished third with a 17.277.

“This was a really tough set, you know, Wenda ran in and ran a .1 and Jordon a .2 and I just knew we had to be fast and she was right there with me.”

Hillman jockeyed Famous Lemon Drop (First Down French x A Famous Lady), a 2016 palomino mare that is owned by Matt and Bendi Dunn. Hillman has been riding Lemon Drop since March of 2021.

“I just feel incredibly blessed to have her and jockey her,” Hillman said. “She’s just 6 years old and I had her last year and she did so well at the Finals. She just is such a strong, wild little thing. And she’s just so fun to run. I love having her.”

As they prepare for Monday’s Gold Medal Round and their shot at the $25,000 prize, Hillman and Lemon Drop will enjoy some well-deserved rest.

“We turned out of Salinas,” Hillman said. “I love that rodeo, but we did so well the last couple weeks, we’re really tired. So we decided to take just a little break and stay here in Utah. We’ll go to Spanish fork tomorrow night and then have a day off I believe, which is gonna be great and then come back here Monday.”

WCRA Utah Days of ‘47 Semi-Final Round 2 Results:

1. Stevi Hillman, Granbury, TX, 17.111 seconds, $1,600; 2. Wenda Johnson, Pawhuska, OK, 17.183, $1,200; 3. Jordon Briggs, Tolar, TX, 17.277, $800; 4. Laura Mote, Llano, TX, 17.496, $400.

Gold Medal Round Current Qualifiers: 

Tiffani Sonnier, Stevi Hillman, Jana Guthrie