The beloved May Long weekend tradition, the Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair was a lucrative one for former Williams Lake resident and professional barrel racer Kirsty White.
White, who now lives in Big Valley, Alta., hauled in $24,300 and finished first in ladies’ barrel racing at the event, in front of 21,000 rodeo fans jam-packed into the recently-revamped Stetson Bowl.
“It was awesome,” White told the Tribune. “I was so excited.”
Twenty-four barrel racers were invited to the private event, where participants were split into both an ‘A’ and a ‘B’ pool.
From there, the top eight advanced to the short go round Monday, May 22 where $330,000 was up for grabs between all the rodeo contestants.
It was one of White’s biggest paydays at a rodeo to date, but said she has also cashed-in in a big way at the Canadian Finals Rodeo and won $10,000 last year in Lethbridge.
“I was just really, really lucky,” she said. “I owe so much of it to my horse, Racey. She’s really consistent and tries with everything she’s got so a lot of it is her.”
As for her success in Cloverdale, White said she never expected it.
“You just try to hope,” she said. “Try to get all your preparation and all your homework done and go in with a good frame of mind. I have to ride her quite a bit (in preparation). She’s a bit aggressive.”
Of the Cloverdale Rodeo, White said it’s one of her favourite events to compete at.
“My son lives out there,” she said. “I love going out there so it’s a huge incentive for me to get to go to that rodeo.
“Cloverdale’s always been one of the bigger rodeos in Western Canada. It’s established and a really great rodeo and they packed the place.”
She said she’d like to thank the rodeo committee and stock contractors, the Keslers, for giving her an opportunity to run at the rodeo.
“It’s so expensive to do this horse thing,” she said. “All the equipment — you pretty much have to win. It’s an amazing spot to go and have an opportunity to win that kind of money.”
White’s first run in Cloverdale was a 16.13-second time Friday, followed by a 15.943-second time Saturday.
In the finals, White posted a blitzing 15.925-second ride to win the $20,000 finals cheque. In the first two gos she’d amassed $4,300 for her times.
She’ll be continuing to travel the rodeo circuit and plans to come to the lakecity to compete at this year’s Williams Lake Stampede.
“Williams Lake’s still my hometown,” she said.
“I love Williams Lake and I love that rodeo.”