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| Ronnie Austin and CNN Smart Gunner winning their second Bayer Select World Championship Show in tie-down roping. |
With a score of 221, Ronnie Austin and CNN Smart Gunner captured the 2007 Bayer Select World champion title in tie-down roping for the second year in a row.
The 59-year-old from Ringling, Oklahoma, said he is blessed to be competing this year.
“I thank God for the opportunity to be here,” Ronnie said.
Ronnie also thanked AQHA for their dedication, work, and making everything possible. He said it’s a blessing to be part of AQHA.
Ronnie competed and won at the very first Bayer Select World Championship Show in 2003. He said he left the show excited to put his Bayer Select World champion tie-down jacket on and wear it to the AQHA World Show in Oklahoma City.
But three weeks later after earning that jacket, Ronnie was diagnosed with leukemia and was fighting for his life.
Ronnie had qualified for the 2003 World Show but the medical treatments weakened his body and he wasn’t able to compete. But the other roping contestants hadn’t forgotten the cowboy.
“All those guys sent me a card with their names signed in it. I cried at that hospital for two weeks reading those names.
“But I knew when I got that card with all those names…” Ronnie continued with tears in his eyes, “I knew that some way I was going to return.”
Humbled to be back at the 2007 Bayer Select World and competing with talented individuals, Ronnie gathered his awards and took a victory lap following his win.
Ronnie paid tribute to his horse working well for him. The 2002 sorrel gelding was a gift from Terry McLemore. Ronnie said Terry would sleep well tonight knowing his gift performed again for his friend.
“It was a good day,” he said, and thanked his family, friends, and horses for another championship ride.
