Two SD barrel racers finish in world's top 10

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LAS VEGAS — South Dakota’s Lisa Lockhart finished third in the average and fifth in the world standings, and fellow South Dakotan Nikki Steffes finished fifth in the average and ninth in the world standings in barrel racing at the recent conclusion of the National Finals Rodeo.

Lockhart totaled $180,335.92 for her efforts in barrel racing this season, while Steffes brought in $110,279.25.

The NFR was a 10-day event that started Dec. 6 and ended Saturday.

Lockhart, who has competed in the NFR six times, earned the highest amount of NFR prize money out of all South Dakota participants. She brought in $77,838.53 from her barrel runs at the NFR.

Lockhart, of Oelrichs, placed in the top six, where earnings are awarded, in eight of the 10 rounds. She posted a total time of 143.96 seconds from 10 rounds and took first place in the ninth round with a time of 13.66 seconds, her best time at the event. She was awarded $18,257.21 for her first-place ride.

She placed second in her final ride of the NFR, earning $14,429.09. Along with one first-place and one second-place finish, Lockhart finished in third place twice, fourth place three times and sixth place once at the NFR.

Steffes, of Vale, earned $7,656.54 for her efforts at the NFR and had a total time of 147.19.

She took sixth place in the second round with a time of 14.09 and fifth place in the 10th round with a time of 13.97, her best time of the event.

Cole Elshere, of Faith, finished fourth in the average and seventh in the world standings in saddle bronc. He had a total score of 620.5 from eight qualified rides and brought in $124,437.14 this year.

Chad Ferley, of Oelrichs, finished ninth in the average and 13th in the world standings in saddle bronc. Ferley’s total score was 533.5 from seven qualified rides, and he totaled $85,494.49 for his efforts this season.

Todd Suhn, of Hermosa, finished eighth in the average and 11th in the world standings in steer wrestling. Suhn had a total time of 41.20 seconds from nine successful rides. Suhn totaled $110,306.20 in winnings this season.

Ardie Maier, of Timber Lake, finished 13th in the average and 11th in the world standings in bull riding. He had one qualified ride at the NFR with a score of 76. Maier totaled $104,620.50 in winnings this year.

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