BIG SMOKIN WONDER aka “PEARL”

1997 AQHA Sorrel Mare | Owner: Sid Miller | Ridden By: Cody Ohl

2X AQHA/PRCA TIE-DOWN ROPING HORSE OF THE YEAR: 2009, 2013

“Pearl has just been a great blessing for my family. A great horse makes so much difference. When I have success, it is usually about 70 percent Pearl and about 30 percent me.” – Cody Ohl, PRCA Tie-Down Calf Roper, 6X World Champion, 20X NFR Qualifier, 1997 Rookie of the Year, 2020 Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame Inductee

*BIG SMOKIN WONDER, aka “PEARL”, is a full sister to Tuf Cooper’s Tie-down horse, “Topaz” (2013 & 2014 – 3rd place AQHA/PRCA Tie-down Horse of the Year)

👉 READ MORE about Sid Miller & Pearl’s sire: “BIG AS I AM” (1986 Red Dun Stallion) in the Sept 4, 2020 issue of the Pro Rodeo Sports News.

Ty Murray, “Pearl” honored at Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame induction

SPECIAL TO THE FLASH | By JANETTE HALLIDAY | THEFLASHTODAY.COM

Fort Worth (April 9, 2016) — Continuing the legacy of excellence with the rodeo industry, the Cowboy Capital of the World was well represented at the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame induction this past weekend.

The ceremony, held at the River Ranch in the historic Ft. Worth Stockyards, recognized professional cowboys and animal athletes for their contributions and accomplishments within professional rodeo. The 2016 class of inductees that call Stephenville home included: Ty Murray, receiving the Director’s Choice Award; animal athlete, “Pearl,” Big Smokin’ Wonder, AQHA tie down calf roping horse, owned by Texas Ag Commissioner Sid Miller; and Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame Scholarship winner, Clint Mayo, high school rodeo athlete.

“The animal athlete award was presented to two time AQHA Horse of the Year, Big Smokin’ Wonder, a.k.a. “Pearl,” owned by Stephenville resident Texas Ag Commissioner Sid Miller. Video was presented on several of Pearl’s winning tie down calf roping runs that resulted in large paychecks for PRCA contestants.

Miller cited “Pearl’s” willingness as an athlete as a critical part of her success in the arena that helped roping contestants achieve their goals. One of those contestants is Cody Ohl, five time PRCA World Champion calf roper, resident of Hico.”

“Pearl,” owned by Texas Ag Commissioner Sid Miller, was inducted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame in Fort Worth over the weekend. Miller and Pearl are shown with April Field. || From April Field’s Facebook page

2013 AQHA/PRCA HORSE OF THE YEAR

“A pair of former winners were honored again Oct. 2 when Cody Ohl’s horse, Big Smokin Wonder (Pearl), was named 2013 AQHA/PRCA Horse of the Year in tie-down roping and Dan Fisher’s steer roping horse, Larneds Ricoche Doc (Woody), shared the honor with Scott Snedecor’s Olee Roberto (Major). Woody shared the award in 2008 and won it outright in 2009. Pearl was also honored in 2009.

Ohl gave credit to Pearl for his win at the Justin Boots Championships in Omaha, Neb., last weekend. “My little mare, Pearl, was sensational,” he said. Ohl said he’s had “a phenomenal” three months and that Pearl is “probably 75 percent of it.” On July 1, Ohl was 35th in the world standings with $14,610. He was third in the Oct. 1 final regular-season world standings with $94,943.” – PRCA News, October 2013

2009 AQHA/PRCA TIE-DOWN ROPING HORSE OF THE YEAR

“In the tie-down roping, Big Smokin Wonder, owned by Texas Representative Sid Miller of Stephenville, Texas, and ridden by Cody Ohl of Hico, Texas, took her first horse of the year honor. “Pearl” has won AQHA world championships in amateur tie-down roping in 2006 and 2007. In 2008 and in two years previously, she placed third in the event at the World Show, and she has also placed in senior tie-down and amateur breakaway roping at the World Show. In 2006, Pearl was AQHA’s year-end high-point amateur tie-down roping horse, and the open high-point tie-down roping mare.” – America’s Horse, October 21, 2009