Photos courtesy of Richard Sidebotham Photography.
Colorado Springs was the perfect setting for the 9th Annual Rocky Mountain Super Race presented by Hitchin’ Post Trailer Sales and Rolling Thunder Conversions. The spring air was warm and a fun time was had by all! The barrel race, which was produced by TNT Events, attracted contestants from near and far. And we do mean far, as some contestants traveled from as far away as Wisconsin just to attend the Rocky Mountain Super Race. Others traveled from Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming.
After the dust had settled in the Norris-Penrose Event Center Indoor Arena, over 1125 contestants had passed through the entry gate. They were chompin’ at the bit to turn in a hot time and take home some of the $45,000 in cash and prizes up for grabs. Dashing across the finish line on Friday was Teal Rice of Lakin, KS, and her horse, Real Special Dash, to turn in the fastest time of the entire event, a 15.133! They rode off into the sunset with over $1,970 for their runs in the Open 4D and WPRA.Clocking another fast time was former Average Champion, Karen Turek, and Shootin’ Breeze who flew past the finish line with a 15.139 in the Open 4D on Sunday. She took over $1,530 to the bank after three days of barrel racing excitement.Youngster Amanda Nash, from River Falls, Wisconsin, ran a speedy time of 15.148 atop Divinely Sent to take home top honors in the Open 4D and Youth 4D on Saturday. Amanda showed her talent as she entered-up on four horses each day. She made the 24-hour drive back home worth the trip as her pockets were overflowing with winnings of $2,714 and her arms were full of awards.

Daily awards were handed out in the Open 4D as well as some random draw awards. New this year, the Average Champion in each division of the Open 4D was given a choice! They were each able to decide if they wanted to go home with the ever-popular Cowhide Brief Bag or the trendy Trophy Bronc Halter each hand-crafted by Pro Rodeo Originals.

Second place in each division rode off into the sunset with the award that the champion passed up and third place trotted away with a Wrangler Gift Certificate. Contestants placing in the average also hit the jackpot with an assortment of other bonuses from awards donors: Classic Equine, Cowboy Magic, John Ewing, Justin Boot Co., Oster, Purina Mills, Wahl Clipper Corp., Western Horseman Magazine, Wrangler and TNT Events.

Fara Garcia and her horse, Jamie, who reside in Springer, NM, cleaned house with their consistency and took home the 1D Average Championship Title with an average time of 15.600.

Second and third place winners in the Open 1D Average were Marie Autrey from Mountainair, NM, and Cheryl Kennedy of Bennett, CO. Taking home the gold in the Open 2D Average was Bayfield, CO, resident Dawn Hoselton and A Glassful of Chick with an average time of 16.112. Judy Butkovich of Pueblo, CO, finished second and Jessica Dorcey of Loveland, CO, headed home with third place honors. Returning home to Gilette, WY, with the Championship Title in the Open 3D Average was Tasha Welsh and Cinderwood with an average time of 16.609. Pam Hoff from Windsor, CO, and Beth McKinney of Avondale, CO, finished second and third respectfully.

The Open 4D Average Champ was Alayna Kidd and KR Bacfire of Wheatland, WY, with an average time of 17.214. Not far behind was her son, David Kidd, who took home second place honors and Cindy DeMott of Loveland, CO, won third.

Average Champions in all of the other classes each waved good-bye with a custom pair of Pro Equine Sport Sling Boots, donated by Riata West of Monument, CO, as well as an armful of other goodies. Top qualifier for the WPRA Average was Karen Taylor from Mead, CO, and KB Merrigays Dream. The Youth 4D title went to Jennifer Dorcey and Dial Easy Lick of Loveland, CO. Linda Ghent and Miss Re Olena who also reside in Loveland, CO, took home the Senior 4D honors. De Chapman of Larkspur, CO, along with Shadows Stinger claimed the $1000 Novice Horse title while an excited Rachel Houchin and Kantex Baby of Monument, CO, enjoyed the $1000 Novice Rider victory.

Since retro is in, TNT Events decided to reinstate their “Target Race” from years ago! It was not an actual race, but rather a chance at consistency. The person with the smallest difference between their Open 4D times on Saturday and Sunday was the winner and that winner was Janet Baughman from Sedalia, CO. Atop her trusty steed, Feature Buster, she only had a .015 second difference between her times on Saturday and Sunday. WOW, talk about consistency! For their efforts, Janet slid a beautiful hand-made Trophy Saddle by Scott Thomas Saddlery in Caddo Mills, TX, onto her saddle rack. Because of the overwhelming popularity of the Target Race, awards were given through 7th place! Second and Third place winners, De Chapman and Connie Passig, each went home with a new pair of Justin Boots valued at $150 each. Jody Penn, Janet Cropper, Faith Vickers and Diane Teague were the 4th – 7th place champs and they each received a Wrangler Gift Certificate.

When they weren’t racing, contestants were able to look through the numerous vendor booths on site ranging from trailer sales to tack sales, photographs to jewelry. They were also able to take advantage of Colorado Springs and all of the tourist attractions, fine dining and beauty that it has to offer.

The incredible support we get from our Sponsors makes it possible to produce these events. TNT Events is very grateful to have had Hitchin’ Post Trailer Sales and Rolling Thunder Conversions as the Presenting Sponsors for the 9th Annual Rocky Mountain Super Race. Platinum sponsors included First National Bank of Las Animas, La Junta and Monument, Justin Boot Co., Midnight Rose Hotel & Casino, MonumentMotors.com, TNT Hay Sales and Wrangler.

Gold Sponsors included Athletic Edge Equine Massage, Colorado Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau, Lane Sales, New Generation Homes and Riata West. Kellin Communications was the WPRA Divisional Tour sponsor for the entire weekend and the Target Race Sponsors were Dr. Rob Palmer, DC and Dr. Dale Knobbs, DC. The dedication and hard work from our staff is priceless and we tip our hats to Kim Schulze, De Chapman, Debi Rinaldo, Dianne Rinaldo, Janice Reese, Ardith Bruce, Josh Foust, our rakers and the Norris-Penrose Event Center crew.

TNT Events especially wants to thank all of the contestants and their faithful traveling partners who were so awesome to work with during the race. Everyone was SO friendly and fun it made our job a pleasure! We want you ALL to come back and anyone else who is looking for a barrel race where everyone is happy to be there!
We look forward to the next Rocky Mountain Super Race, which will take place over Labor Day Weekend – September 2nd, 3rd and 4th. You won’t want to miss this event complete with $5,450 ADDED MONEY, 75% PAYBACK in the Open 4D (100% of Added $), NO HAUL-IN Fees, lower processing fees and late fees, Average Awards in ALL CLASSES, thousands of $$$ worth of other AWARDS, Better Barrel Races approved, American West 4D Co-Sanctioned (FIVE X’s the points), SCBRA approved, WPRA Divisional Tour all three days, ideal Vacation Spot – Colorado Springs and much more!

If you want to stay updated on TNT Events, just log on to our official web site, www.BarrelRacingNow.com and if you’d like to receive periodic email updates, be sure to sign up on our Site Mailing List (option is at the bottom of the home page). If you did not receive a flyer for the May race, be sure to send us your mailing address so you can receive information on all of our events! Have a dynamite summer and we’ll see you at the Labor Day Rocky Mountain Super Race. TNT Events, the hottest races in the Rockies!