IFR notebook: Former SWOSU cowboy Shawn Minor wins eighth all-around world championship

Jan 21, 2013 (The Oklahoman - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Former Southwestern Oklahoma State University cowboy Shawn Minor won his eighth all-around world championship in the International Professional Rodeo Association Sunday at State Fair Arena at conclusion of the International Finals Rodeo.

Minor, 37, won his first bareback bronc riding title in three years and finished third in the saddle bronc standings to win his eighth all-around championship in nine years. Minor now has 18 IPRA crowns, which includes seven bareback titles and three saddle bronc championships in addition to the all-around titles.

"I really felt good winning these two titles this year because I had to work for them," said Minor, who lives in Camden, Ohio. "I had to work a little harder than the other years it seemed like." Minor has won the triple crown once -- capturing world titles in all-around, saddle bronc and bareback in the same season -- and it is something he would like to do again.

"That would top it off for me, if I could do that again," said Minor, who has no plans to retire in the near future.

"I don't know how long I will do it (rodeo)," Minor said. "As long as I still like it and I can compete with all these young guys and still win. I don't have any set dates that I will retire like a lot of people do. I don't worry about that." Minor spent two years riding for legendary rodeo coach Doc Mitchell at Southwestern and lived for six years in Weatherford, but now he returns to Oklahoma just once a year for the IFR.

"I don't hardly ever cross the Mississippi River," he said.

NASTY BULL WRECK North Carolina bull rider Michael Schleicher did not ride Sunday after he was knocked unconscious in Saturday night's fourth round coming out of the bucking chute.

Schleicher, 50, was thrown off the bull and into the chute. He suffered a concussion and a cut on his head that required 11 stitches.

A grandfather of two, Schleicher still wanted to ride in Sunday's final round.

"The doctors wouldn't let me get on today," Schleicher said. "They said it was too risky." Schleicher returned to bull riding three years ago at age 47 after a 13-year layoff. He said Sunday that he plans to keep getting on bulls.

"I am going to go one more," he said. "I will be 51 and then I will call it quits." Extras No Oklahoma cowboys or cowgirls won world championships at IFR 43. ... Team roper Terry Crow of Miami was making his 16th appearance in the IFR. ... The only other IFR participant to win two world titles in addition to Minor was Justin Thigpen of Waycross, Ga., who won buckles in tie-down roping and steer wrestling. ... Named Miss Rodeo USA on Sunday was Lauren Carrie of Alabama. This is the 50th year that a Miss Rodeo USA has been crowned.{+ } ___ (c)2013 The Oklahoman Visit The Oklahoman at www.newsok.com Distributed by MCT Information Services

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