Gail Petska

Gail Petska is an American former professional rodeo cowgirl who specialized in barrel racing. She was a two-time barrel racing world champion. In December 1972 and 1973, she won the championship at the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) at the State Fair Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Life Gail Petska married Paul Petska, a professional team roper. Paul qualified for the NFR four times. They had three children. When their son Cory grew up, he became a world champion heeler in team roping. Cory also married to four-time world champion barrel racer Sherry Cervi. Sherry qualified for the NFR 19 times. She became winner of the most money in the event with $3.5 million.

Career Petska competed in the Girls' Rodeo Association (GRA). In 1973, she earned $19,448 by competing in bull riding, calf roping, barrel racing, and goat tying in the GRA. She was living in Tecumseh, Oklahoma, at the time.

Petska won the barrel racing world championship twice on a small horse she named Dobie. Petska won the NFR Average Championship in 1972. She also won the NFR Average in 1972.