The barrel race, which was produced by TNT Events, has become an annual ‘must-attend’ event for some and a new ‘favorite’ for others. After the dust had settled in the Norris-Penrose Event Center Indoor Arena on Monday, over 1300 contestants had passed through the entry gate. Karen Turek dominated the Open 4D on Saturday and Sunday on two different horses! On Saturday, it was Major Bully that took her to the pay window to pick up $1,020 with a time of 15.142. While on Sunday, it was Shootin’ Breeze that out-ran 218 other tough competitors with a 15.085 to take $1,065 to the bank. All in all, Karen rode off into the sunset with over $2,500 in cash and that doesn’t include the trailer full of awards she took with her! However, it was Janet Baughman and Feature Buster who flew past the finish line on Monday with a 15.011 to take home the winning Open 4D check. In fact, their speedy time was the fastest time of the entire event, which just goes to show you how excellent the ground stays from start to finish!
Daily awards were handed out in the Open 4D as well Average Awards and some random draw awards. The Average Champion in each division of the Open 4D was 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. Karen Turek and her horse, Major Bully, who reside in Ft Collins, CO, cleaned house with their consistency and took home the 1D Average Championship Title with a smokin’ average time on three runs of 15.254. Second and third place winners in the Open 1D Average were Carla Wakefield aboard Rapture N Rafter from Ft. Lupton, CO, and Kelly Conrado of Longmont, CO, riding Bob. Taking home the gold in the Open 2D Average was Canyon, TX, resident Angie GrandPre and Idget with an average time of 15.754. Chris Gibson and her steed, Stick With Money, of Pine Bluffs, WY, finished second while Brandy Metzgar and Colonel Peppy’s Pride of Divide, CO, headed home with third place honors. Returning home to Elizabeth, CO, with the Championship Title in the Open 3D Average was Lorrie Taylor and Miss Casanova Star with an average time of 16.256. Tori Wimberly and Cider from Belen, NM, and Bonnie Wikle atop Sometimes Budshine from Amarillo, TX, finished second and third respectfully. The Open 4D Average Champ was Maggie Read and Dat Silver Lady of Loveland, CO, with an average time of 16.856. Not far behind was Diann Bukowski and Ali of Falcon, CO, who took home second place honors and Terri Taylor riding Miss Mac Victory of Arboles, 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 Carla Wakefield and Rapture N Rafter with a 15.374. The Youth 4D title went to Jennifer Dorcey and Flickas Moon Jet of Loveland, CO, with a 15.547. Renee Anderson of Parker, CO and Azure Distance took home the Senior 4D honors with a 15.749 average over the three days. Lanette Pritchard of Rocky Ford, CO, along with Skip’s Knut claimed the $1000 Novice Horse title by turning in a 16.250 average time while Martha Allen of Berthoud, CO, enjoyed the $1000 Novice Rider victory with an average time of 21.323.
To keep things exciting, TNT Events offered the Target Race once again! 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 Jeff Varner from Sedalia, CO! Jeff and his trusty steed, Check It To Me, had an amazing .006 second difference between their times on Saturday and Sunday. WOW, talk about consistency! For their efforts, Jeff took home a beautiful hand-made Trophy Saddle by Scott Thomas Saddlery in Caddo Mills, TX. Second and Third place winners, Jolene Martin and Brea Burmeister, each went home with a new pair of Justin Boots valued at $150 each. Cody Hornbuckle, Traci Washburn, Shiann Irwin and Angie GrandPre were the 4th – 7th place champs and they each received a Wrangler Gift Certificate.
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 Labor Day Rocky Mountain Super Race. Platinum 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. Gold Sponsors included Colorado Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau, Monument Safeway and Riata West. MonumentMotors.com 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. Awards donors included Buffalo Gal Handbags, Classic Equine, Cowboy Magic, International Horse Vets, John Ewing, Justin Boot Co., Myler Bits, Oster, Purina Mills, Inc., Riata West, Wahl Clipper Corp., 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, 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 2007 Rocky Mountain Super Races, which will take place May 11, 12 & 13 and 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 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 Labor Day race, be sure to send us your mailing address so you can receive information on all of our events! Have a dynamite fall and winter and we’ll see you in the Spring!