Fred Whitfield Defends His Match Roping Title

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Fred Whitfield, of Hockley, Texas, defends his match roping title at Battle in the Saddle, Oklahoma City, OK.

The American Quarter Horse Association, Oklahoma City, July 8, 2011 – In an exciting Red Dirt battle, Fred Whitfield of Hockley, Texas, defended his Battle in the Saddle match roping title by out-roping opponent Ryan Jarrett of Comanche, Oklahoma, during the 2011 Battle in the Saddle match roping competition July 8, 2011, at State Fair Park in Oklahoma City. The 2011 Battle in the Saddle, July 5-9, is presented by RFD-TV.

Whitfield takes home $10,000 for his score of 100.19 seconds after 10 calves. Jarrett was close behind with 104.87 seconds. During the fast-paced roping event, Whitfield rode American Quarter Horse Scottish Solano, owned by Joani Gabriel of Lockhart, Texas.

Jarrett rode American Quarter Horse CNN Smart Gunner, owned by Ronnie Austin of Ringling, Oklahoma. CNN Smart Gunner is three-time Select world champion in tie-down roping.

Learn more about Jarrett and Whitfield at: http://www.aqha.com/en/Showing/News-Articles/062711-The-Rundown-Red-Dirt-Battle.aspx.

The American Quarter Horse Journal’s exclusive coverage of the match roping will be available at http://americashorsedaily.com/category/journal-on-the-road/.

The 2011 Battle in the Saddle at State Fair Park in Oklahoma City is a one-of-a-kind equestrian event that showcases five western disciplines. Last year marked the first Battle in the Saddle. During the five-day event, competitors shoot it out in numerous fast-paced, exciting events: ranch horse, working cow horse, roping, cowboy mounted shooting, barrel racing and cutting. Horses and riders compete for their share of more than $140,000 in estimated total purses. The cutting, barrel racing, roping and working cow horse classes are recognized as AQHA special events with all breeds welcome. American Quarter Horses competing in these events will also receive AQHA points.

The American Quarter Horse Journal provides extensive online coverage, including special video interviews and photos of the winners and all the latest news from the show. Visit americashorsedaily.com/category/journal-on-the-road/.

A complete wrap-up of the show will be featured in an upcoming issue of Journal Plus, the digital supplement to the Journal. America’s Horse TV, AQHA’s online television network, also will feature highlights from the event. Be sure to visit americashorse.tv  and check out all the channels and programs.

Battle in the Saddle is made possible by these sponsors: The American Quarter Horse Journal, Montana Silversmiths, Four Sixes Ranch, Tener’s Western Outfitters, RFD-TV, State Fair Park RV Parking, Best Western Saddleback Inn, BiltmoreHotel, Clarion Meridian Hotel, Comfort Inn, Embassy Suites, Fairfield Inn & Suites, Staybridge Suites and Wyndham Garden Hotel.

For more information about Battle in the Saddle, visit www.battleinthesaddle.com, facebook.com/battleinthesaddle and twitter.com/battlesaddle.

Photo courtesy of The American Quarter Horse Journal.