BC Barrel Racing Association president Kelli Pozzobon said she couldn’t be happier with how the BCBRA provincial finals went from Aug. 29-31 in Williams Lake.
“What a great finals it was,” Pozzobon said, adding competitors came from every corner of the province. “[We had] all ages. The youngest competitor was five years old and some of our elderly competitors were 70 and older.”
In total, 339 barrel racers competed at provincials during the weekend.
“Competitors had nothing but great things to say about the finals in Williams Lake and everyone is looking forward to coming back here for the 2015 finals, which will be held Labour Day weekend,” Pozzobon said.
Riders needed three clean runs to qualify for one of the top spots in each category, which were separated into age divisions and then further broken down into multiple groups.
The following are the local winners from the event:
PeeWees 1D
2.) Sydney Schuk, Tatla Lake
PeeWees 2D
4.) Reese Rivet, Williams Lake
5.) Hailey Waterhouse, Williams Lake
PeeWees 3D
1.) Bayley Cail, Williams Lake
2.) Rhyan Fowler, 150 Mile House
Seniors 1D
1.) Judy Hyde, Prince George (saddle winner)
3.) Coleen Duggan, formerly of Anaham Lake
Seniors 2D
1.) Lori Rankin, Williams Lake
Seniors 4D
1.) Dennis Gunn, Williams Lake
Juniors 1D
1.) Callie Hume, Williams Lake (saddle winner)
Juniors 3D
2.) Taylor Cherry, Quesnel
Juniors 4D
2.) Kayla Schindle, Williams Lake
Open 1D
1.) Laura James, Kamloops (saddle winner)
4.) Callie Hume, Williams Lake
Open 2D
5.) Shaylene Tucker, Williams Lake
8.) Lori Rankin, Williams Lake
10.) Keely Durrell, Riske Creek
Open 3D
1.) Marilyn Marklinger, Williams Lake (saddle winner)
9.) Shari Mailhot, Big Lake
Open 4D
6.) Jori Cripps, Williams Lake
“A big thank you to a couple of [Williams Lake] barrel racers who were very instrumental in the preparation for such an organized event. Thanks to Karen Yaworski and Bridget Rosette, who are on the board of directors,” Pozzobon said. “These are two very hard working ladies. Also thanks to Ron Hume who worked tirelessly to have the footing safe for all the competitors and was very good to work with. Thank you to Monty and Lori Rankin for also helping out all weekend.
“I really commend the community of Williams Lake and outlying areas,” Pozzobon said. “A small town with big heart.”
Coming up Sept. 20-21 at the Eagle View Equestrian Centre in Williams Lake is the B.C. Barrel Horse Showcase.
Saturday the event gets underway at 2 p.m. with indoor racing, followed by a pole bending jackpot beginning at 4 p.m. On Sunday outdoor racing begins at 9 a.m.