Payton Brzymialkiewicz of Waller, Texas, and Jamie Simon from Lafayette, Louisiana, teamed up to win the Professional’s Choice #9 Gold Shootout at the Houston Super Sort, sorting 28 head in three rounds in 163.32 seconds to earn $7,814.
The draw team relied on a simple strategy and reliable equine partners to secure the win in one of the event’s most competitive classes.
“Peyton wanted to stay in the gate and have me in the herd,” Simon explained their game plan. “Funny thing is that I had the very same thought, and that gave me added confidence. We worked from the top and sent cows clean to the hole.”
The plan paid off as the duo stayed smooth and efficient through each round, proving their partnership despite coming together quickly as a draw team.
“Watching Peyton all of these years, I knew I was in good hands and was pumped about my draw,” Simon said. “She and I synced right away. I knew I had a few bobbles in Rounds 1 and 2. She went through it with me, and I’m so glad she took the time to do it.”
Brzymialkiewicz also appreciated how well the team communicated throughout the class.
“Riding with my partner was good; she listened to everything that I was telling her,” she noted.
Strong horses underneath both riders helped anchor the winning performance. Brzymialkiewicz rode a 2019 sorrel mare, One Amazing Cat (Just Simply Amazing x Bad Little Peppy Cat), owned by Tony Field.
“This win means a lot to me because, not only did I win the class with an amazing person, but the horse that I used was Tony Field’s, and I’m so thankful to call him family,” Brzymialkiewicz said. “She might be little, but she can cover some ground!”
Results from the Houston Super Sort
Simon competed aboard her 2017 sorrel mare, Bobs Little Smarty (Bobs Little Pistol x Grays Golden Bell), a horse she has been developing slowly in the sorting pen.
“She had never sorted so we’ve taken our time with her, and she’s really honest and has a lot of cow sense,” Simon explained. “Every day I rode her in Houston, she felt better. She’s a confidence builder for sure. She’s cowy, quick, smart and very patient with me. Can’t ask for better.”
For Simon, the win marked a significant milestone.
“It’s huge for me,” she said. “I tend to struggle getting to the pay window, and it looks like everything fell into place finally.”