As editors, one of the most difficult parts of the production process is selecting a cover image. Naturally, we seek a dynamite, excellent-quality photo, but we strive to have a great tie-in cover to the issue.

By now, most of you have probably received your January issues, but take a peek at your December issue’s cover, featuring Team H&R member, Sherry Cervi, racing toward the camera on Quarter Horse gelding, MP Haylookmike. Every so often, we end up with the perfect cover; i.e., it ties in with a real-life, horse-world hot topic. And, we nailed this one!

If you haven’t heard yet, Sherry claimed her second title as the National Finals Rodeo average winner. During her 12th trip to the NFR, Sherry won two go-rounds and a total of $149,099 during the 10 straight days of competition at the Thomas & Mack Arena in Las Vegas.

“In my life, I’ve had the good fortune of making my goals and my dreams become reality,” Sherry says. “I have set goals for myself to breed, raise, and train my owner horses to ultimately compete on them at the NFR and other major barrel racing and futurity events.”

Needless to say, we were not only thrilled that Sherry rocked the house at this year’s NRF, but bonus points that we lucked out having her on our December cover. One reader said, “I’m really glad that you guys had Sherry Cervi on the December cover. After her win, it was great seeing her smiling face in H&R.”

For more information on Sherry Cervi, go to HorseandRider.com and click on our “Team H&R” page, and for a full report of this years NFR statistics, go to prorodeo.com.

Rock on! And, always feel free to let us know who you’d like to see on a future H&R cover!