Rodeo Daily

Wenda Johnson is Taking a Smoken Fast Horse to NFR

Wenda Johnson has a new back-up horse along for the ride at the NFR, but who is he?

Madi Roelofsen

Wenda Johnson is Taking a Smoken Fast Horse to NFR
Wenda Johnson is Taking a Smoken Fast Horse to NFR /

Multiple National Finals Rodeo qualifier Wenda Johnson is known for running down the alley on her bay gelding Steal Money "Mo," or her other standout gelding Macgyver Moonflash "Mac," who was tragically lost this past July.

Mo and Johnson had to finish out the 2023 season without Mac but landed seventh in the world standings with $120,505, qualifying for the NFR.

Highpoint Performance Horses owners Jason Martin and Charlie Cole, also co-owners of Mac, saw a stallion run that just looked like he would fit Johnson's style.

So Johnson climbed aboard the stunning stallion, ran down the alley at Cowtown Coliseum, and won the rodeo. Not only that, the team returned the following day and out ran their previous time.

Wenda Johnson and Smoken French Winner winning Cowtown.
Wenda Johnson and Smoken French Winner winning Cowtown / M Owens Photography

That stallion is Smoken French Winner, who is no stranger to the winner's circle with earnings just below $100k, being an American Qualifier, and multiple arena record holder this early in their career.

"Smoken French Winner and I had just set his third arena record and Highpoint reached out to me about using him for Johnson," said owner Christian Shipley. "I have followed Wenda for a while and I have always loved her light riding style. Fun fact we both have ran barrels bareback."

Shipley has only being running him since February of 2023 and already won $70,000 on him. 

"A lot of people didn't know about him a year ago, he's the real deal and I am so excited for this match up."

Smoken French Winner and his owner, Christian Shipley
Smoken French Winner and his owner, Christian Shipley / Traci Davenport Photography

Johnson will be taking Smoken French Winner along with her to the Thomas and Mack arena as a second horse along with Mo. 

"Smoke is Johnson's second horse, not a backup horse. Johnson called me the other day and told me to stop calling him her backup because it makes him sound like he's not as good," said Shipley.

Smoken French Winner will also be standing at Highpoint Performance Horses for the 2024 breeding season and his books are currently open.

To keep up with this incredible stallion and his offspring, check out his Facebook page.

Published
Madi Roelofsen
MADI ROELOFSEN

Madi Roelofsen is a writer for Sports Illustrated's feature, Rodeo Daily. Madi not only writes about the western lifestyle and rodeo world but lives it daily. She attended Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas, and competed in the barrel racing as part of their rodeo team. Roelofsen graduated in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in animal science. Madi enjoyed not only competing in rodeo events but also spectating the greatest sport on dirt. In 2017, while on vacation attending the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, she met her husband Tim Roelofsen. They got married a few years later in 2020. Tim had already established TVR Working Horses but together they grew their program and enjoy raising foals, training colts, barrel racing, team roping and standing their stallions (TVR Eye Needa Corona and CR Baron Bee Joy "Big Sexy") in both Texas and Iowa. They stay busy with the horses, farming alfalfa and raising their baby girl, Texi. Madi has always been passionate about horses, from learning about different bloodlines, breeding the foals themselves to training and competing. She expresses that passion within the articles she writes to open up the world of horses and rodeo to everyone.  Twitter-@Madi_Roelofsen  Facebook- @TVR Working Horses

Home/Pro Rodeo