WOW!! What a FINALS this year in Amarillo. Starting with the banquet provided by Cadillac Joe's to the $86,897 contestant payoff, to all the exceptional awards in each event.  It takes so many people behind the scene and out front to make a great finals.  Without the support of all the sponsors, the Finals would not have been such a great success.  Thank You Sponsors!!

            Thanks to the all the great personnel at the Finals.  Ken Stonecipher did a great job announcing along with Lanny Wilson who provided the sound.  Timers: Janice McCloy and Randye McKee, Judges:  Alan Hennigh,   Randy Mitchell and Randy Koehn, Bullfighters:  Cole Otts and Brian Flanders, Pickupmen:  Yandy Yarbrough and Jamie Swartz.   Thank you to all the Stock Contractors who provided the Finals with great bucking stock:  T-n-T Rodeo Co.  (Mitch Terrell), Hext Rodeo Co. ( Bill Hext), McCloy Rodeo Co. (Allen McCloy), 777 Rodeo Co. ( Guy Winters), Sumner Rodeo Co. ( Phil Sumner), Rice Rodeo Co. ( Carl Rice) and C-T Rodeo Co. (Charlie Thompson).  Thanks to all the Directors who pitched in where ever they were needed.   A big thank you to the official photographer and preacher, Dale Hirchman, for great photos and a great message on Sunday.   Contestants you can reach Dale at www.dalehirschman.com or (580) 772-3421.  I know he will have some great photos for the contestants from the finals.  I heard Dale has some great shots of a certain judge, Randy Mitchell, from the Saturday afternoon performance.   Thanks to Angie GrandPre and Cowboy Times for all her hard work on the program.   A special thank you to my right hand, Randye McKee, as she is truly a dedicated friend to stay up till all hours helping me.  Thanks, Randye.

To the  Top of Texas Rodeo Committee from Pampa, Texas:  The TCRA would like to extend a very special thank you for all the help and support your group brought to the finals and our Association.  These men volunteered their time and help to the Association for the weekend.  These men filled positions from the rough stock end of the arena to the timed event end of the arena to security on the gates.  THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HELP!

            I know there are many other people who worked very hard over the weekend to help make the finals a success.   I don’t want to leave anyone out so here’s a thank you to all of you I missed mentioning who helped this year at the 2008 Finals.

            Thank you Hi- Pro Feed and Blake Williamson for donating feed to the Rough Stock animals and Pickup horses at the Finals.  Thanks goes to Foust Feeds for delivering hay and grain.

          Congratulations to all the winners at the finals and everyone who qualified for the finals this year. 

            Last, I want to thank all of the Board of Directors for a great year and all their hard work throughout the year.

            A little update on the people hurt at the Finals.    The gateman, , sustained a concussion, a broken collarbone, and a broken hand.  He was released on Saturday from the hospital.  Randy Mitchell, was sore throughout the last two performances but is doing good.