Combine Ram Trucks with the rodeo and you get a perfect match. Here’s why: Cowboys are humble, hardworking, and honest, just like our trucks. However, this year the boys had to step aside as a cowgirl took home the Ram Trucks Top Gun 3500 Dually, the coveted prize awarded to the top money winner at the 10-day Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.
That’s right—barrel-racer Mary Walker proudly took to the arena floor in the bed of her new truck on Saturday, leaving lots of cowboys looking on in envy. We were lucky enough to talk to Mary one day prior to her celebration lap, just before her ninth go-round on Friday night. Here is what she had to say:
RamZone: Do you have a pre-Rodeo ritual?
Mary Walker: Yes, every afternoon we get to the trailer at about 4 o’clock, my whole group that’s helping me. We all get together to do what we needs to be done for the night. We do the Grand Entry, get back, saddle up, braid Latte’s mane, and get his boots on. We start at the left side first and go to the right side. Everything’s the same: saddle blanket, ride off, warm him up exactly the same as I do every night. It’s very important to keep Latte in a routine.
RZ: Aside from yourself, who is your favorite to win the Ram Truck Top Gun Award?
MW: Kaycee Field. I have watched him on TV for a million performances, and I finally got to meet him. I was really excited.
RZ: Who has been your toughest competition this year?
MW: I feel the toughest competition in my event this year is Sherry Cervi. Not only is she a professional, she is probably one of the sweetest, nicest people in the world, and she has a great horse. She had a major fault here the other night with a no time. But day in and out, she is my fiercest competitor.
RZ: Aside from Sherry Cervi, who do you think is your toughest competition here at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo?
MW: Here right now? Lisa Lockhart. She is putting up some great times.
RZ: Thanks for taking the time to talk with us, Mary. It was a pleasure!
MW: No problem. Thank you!
In true cowgirl fashion, Mary was gracious and humble. But don’t let that fool you: She is also a fierce competitor. Despite being excited to meet last year’s Top Gun, Kaycee Field, Mary had no problem making sure he would not be named Ram Truck Top Gun again this year—she beat him by more than $11,000. Thanks to wins in rounds 1, 2, 3, and 7, not to mention blazing-fast times like 13.69, it’s not hard to see why Mary Walker is the world’s top cowgirl.
