Just two weeks prior to the 92nd annual Williams Lake Stampede, barrel racers from throughout the province were doing their due diligence breaking in the Stampede Grounds for the upcoming spectacle.
Close to 500 entries made up the competition in the lakecity Saturday, June 16 and Sunday, June 17 for the Sixth Annual Stampede Warm Up Barrel Race, sanctioned by the BC Barrel Racing Association.
When the dust settled, close to $35,000 in prize money was given out to riders during the weekend.
Saturday, champions in each of the four age categories: open, junior, senior and peewee, plus two horse age categories, futurity and derby, were determined, splitting $10,000 cash.
“We’d like to thank the great supporters of this annual event: Grasslands/Lake City Central Equipment, Eagle View 4D Barrel Races, the BCBRA and Diamond 7 Performance Horses,” said organizer Lori Rankin.
Saturday, in the open division, it was Taylor Cherry riding Whisper taking the top spot, while Williams Lake’s Reese Rivet, on Oreo, was crowned champion.
In the senior category Judy Hyde, riding Twiggy took the title, with Paisley McNolty, riding Dusty, winning the peewee division.
The futurity champion was Eyesa Beauty, ridden by Sarah Gerard and owned by Cordy Cox-Ellis, while the derby champion was RNR Runaway Major, ridden and owned by Sarah Gerard.
Sunday, the first annual Afterburn 5D Slot Race took centre stage.
“It was a huge success, attracting 157 entries,” Rankin said, adding $23,550 was paid out on the day.
Big winners of each division were: Judy Hyde on Twiggy (1D), Candie Moore on Avatar (2D), Wilana Collins on Shiney Quixote (3D), Terrylee Fieber on Pride of Kings New Moon (4D) and Bella Johnson on Lilly (5D), each taking home $1,884.
Second-place finishers in each division were awarded $1,413, third place received $942 and fourth place was granted $471.
“There were riders of all ages entered with the youngest competitor about seven years old,” Rankin said.
“The weather was perfect and the arena ground was exceptional. These events are successful due to the many volunteers that work year round and during the event to make it happen.
“We have a wonderful crew in Williams Lake that helps make this one of the barrel racing hot spots in B.C.”
Local competitors that placed in the Stampede Warm Up were Shelly Schiller, Reese Rivet and Cassie Shendruk in the 1D open, Dawnna Robertson, Ivy McKay and Brittany Gordon in the 2D open, Jenny Hume, Marilyn Marklinger, Dariene Andros, Bobby Twan and Karen Yaworski in the 3D open and Pauline Brandson, Simmone Fowler, Devon Heck and Brady McNolty in the 4D open.
Senior winners were Lori Rankin and Linda Geensen in 2D and Shelley Colton in 4D.
Juniors who places were Reese Rivet (1D), Mackenzie Hannas (2D), Cameryn Fowler (3D), Ivy McKay (3D), Mackenzie Hannas (4D) and Trinity Fraser (4D).