Skies over Colorado Springs clouded up as tough competition gathered to take a chance at over $45,000 in cash and prizes at the May 4, 5 & 6 Western Warehouse Rocky Mountain Super Race presented by Hitchin’ Post Trailer Sales and Rolling Thunder Conversions.  The TNT Events production was sanctioned by Better Barrel Races, American Barrel Racing Assn, WPRA and Co-Sanctioned by American West 4D.  Contestants traveled to the “10th Annual” event from Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, Wyoming and even Canada!  After the dust had settled in the Norris-Penrose Event Center Indoor Arena on Sunday, an impressive 1,100 contestants had passed through the entry gate.
Not only were racers looking for a portion of the $5000 added cash, they were also vying for some of the awesome awards.  The Average Champion in each division of the Open 4D was presented with a beautiful custom designed trophy buckle by David Crumrine as well as an embroidered TNT Events Champion bag.

Second place in the average in each division rode off into the sunset with the ever-popular cowhide brief-bag and an embroidered Rocky Mountain Super Race sweatshirt.  Third place Average winners each took home a new pair of Wrangler Jeans along with a TNT-Events embroidered bag.  Contestants placing in the average also hit the jackpot with an assortment of other bonuses from donors like John Ewing, Manna Pro, Cowboy Magic, Western Warehouse, Western Horseman, and Purina.

Tahnee Sanders and her horse, Hills Cash Bar, who reside in Danbury, NE, cleaned house with their consistency and took home the 1D Average Championship Title with a smokin’ average time on three runs of 15.371.  Second and third place winners in the Open 1D Average were Karen Turek aboard Shootin’ Breeze from Ft. Collins, CO, and Kathy Van’t Hul of Colorado Springs, CO, riding Smooth As Doc.

Taking home the gold in the Open 2D Average was Loveland, CO, resident Linda Ghent and Miss RE Olena with an average time of 15.876.  Michelle Irwin and her steed, Catch A Glance, of Gillette, WY, finished second while Sheryl Hamiter and Bolders Runner of Denver, CO, headed home with third place honors.

Returning home to Lamar, CO, with the Championship Title in the Open 3D Average was Amy Knutter and Mr Triplicate with an average time of 16.373.  Karen Taylor and Freakin Streakin from Mead, CO, and Nicole Yonkers atop Enuf Rim Fire from Peyton, CO, finished second and third respectfully.  The Open 4D Average was dominated by competitors from Colorado Springs, CO!

The champ was Karen Densmore and Skips Nifty Splender with an average time of 16.956.  Not far behind was Jo Wilson and Classic View who took home second place honors and Patty McCullar riding Watch Pal Buck won third.
Average Champions in all of the other classes each waved good-bye with a new pair of Wrangler Jeans and a state-of-the-art Fold-A-Feeder, as well as an armful of other goodies.  Top qualifier for the Youth 4D Average was Dakota Cauthen and Jackson, hailing from Benson, AZ, with a 15.945.

The Senior 4D title went to Kathy Van’t Hul and Smooth As Doc with a 15.441.  Jody Knight of Colorado Springs claimed the $1000 Novice Horse title by turning in a 15.983 average time while Brea Burmeister and Patty’s Smokescreen of Denver, CO, claimed the $2000 Novice Rider victory with an average time of 16.383.

Back by popular demand was the Target Race, a chance at consistency sponsored by John Ewing!  The person with the smallest difference between their Open 4D times on Saturday and Sunday was also the 4D Average Champ in the Open, Karen Densmore.  Karen and her trusty steed, Skips Nifty Splender, had an amazing .039 second difference between their times on Saturday and Sunday.

For their efforts, Karen took home a beautiful hand-made Trophy Saddle by Scott Thomas Saddlery in Caddo Mills, TX.  Second place champ, Delores Toole, made her horse happy with a 20 pound bucket of John Ewing Joint Essentials valued at $200!  Third and Fourth place winners, Dawn Hoselton and Leia Pluemer, each went home with a new pair of Justin Boots valued at $150 each.

Fifth and Sixth place, Nicole Bradford and Nathalie Bonnett each took home a new pair of Wrangler Jeans while 7th-10th , Kim Schulze, Christine Atwell, Heather Cunningham and Judy Dunn, each took home a Classic Equine Gift Certificate.

A bag of feed was presented to Julie Pluemer and Krista Randall, the 11th and 12th place finishers in the Target race.
The incredible support we get from our Sponsors makes it possible to produce these events.  TNT Events is very grateful to have Western Warehouse as our Title Sponsor and Hitchin’ Post Trailer Sales along with Rolling Thunder Conversions as the Presenting Sponsors for the 10th Annual Rocky Mountain Super Race.  Gold sponsors included First National Bank of Las Animas, La Junta, Monument and Fowler, Justin Boot Co., Midnight Rose Hotel & Casino, MonumentMotors.com, TNT Hay Sales and Wrangler.

Silver Sponsors included Experience Colorado at Colorado Springs, Manna Pro, New Generation Homes, Riata West and Dr. Rob Palmer, DC.  Awards donors included Buffalo Gal Handbags, Classic Equine, Cowboy Magic, Fold-A-Feeder, John Ewing, Justin Boot Co., Manna Pro, Myler Bits, Purina Mills, Inc., Riata West, Western Horseman Magazine, Western Warehouse and Wrangler.

The dedication and support from our staff is priceless and we tip our hats to Linda Aaberg, Brea Burmeister, De Chapman, Jeanne’ Davis, Kim Schulze, Cade Schulze, Shayne Schulze, Josh Foust, our rakers and the Norris-Penrose Event Center crew and everyone else who jumps right in when help is needed!  TNT Events especially wants to thank all of the contestants and faithful traveling partners who make it all possible!

We look forward to the next Rocky Mountain Super Race, which will take place Labor Day Weekend – September 1, 2 & 3, 2007!  If you want to stay updated on TNT Events, just log on to our official web site, www.BarrelRacingNow.com.  Have a dynamite summer and we hope to see you in September!