Fire and rain. Taking shelter from the storm.  Stallions. Then more fire.

 2003 Eqvalan-Gastrogard Barrel of Gold Futurity & Derby
August 23-24, Lewis & Clark Fairgrounds, Helena, Montana

Article by Kitty Herrin, Photos by Kandi Schuman

The 10^th Annual Eqvalan-Gastrogard Barrel of Gold was scheduled in the Lewis & Clark Fairgrounds big outdoor arena. On Friday, August 22, halfway through the time onlys it rained hard and furious for 40 minutes. No one complained about the rain because Montana was in the midst of a serious drought and there was smoke everywhere from all the forest fires, but there was a lake sitting in the middle of the arena. Luckily there is an indoor pen at the Lewis & Clark Fairgrounds and it was decided to move the first go indoors. Then after it rained again most of Friday night it was further decided to move the entire event inside. None of this bothered Flits Bravest Heart, Wendy Chambers’ homebred 1998 AQHA chestnut stallion, who got his first futurity win in Helena. Flits Bravest Heart is by Flit Bar Beggar and out of Miss Lucky Reb by Reb’s Lucky Joe. Twenty-three-year-old Miss Lucky Reb has been owned by Chambers since she was three. Besides having a successful barrel racing career of her own, Miss Lucky Reb has given Chambers three foals: an eleven-year old mare who won the Torrington Futurity and has qualified her for the Divisional Tour Finals, Flits Bravest Heart and a 2-year old prospect by Frenchmans Guy. Chambers, who made the 13-hour drive from Ft. Lupton, Colorado, with her husband, Matt, and daughters, Baylei, 10 and Madelyn, 18 months, said she feels especially blessed. And she gives thanks because “Trace” is such a good barrel horse he deserved to have a futurity win on his record. The duo won the first two goes and were second in the short go on the way to their average win. Besides $4,492.80 in winnings they also took home an Ed and Martha Wright Barrel Saddle and a trophy buckle from Jackson Creek Saloon.

Ironically, Blazin Jetolena, the reserve futurity champion, spent a couple of months as a baby in Helena at futurity organizers Sid and Janet Erickson’s place while his dam, Blazin Jennie Jet by Jet of Honor, was being bred. The 1999 AQHA sorrel stallion by Lenas Sugar Daddy, is owned and raised by Randy and Sue Rist of Tucson, Arizona. He was started on the barrels as a three-year-old by Ryan Lovendahl, who has also ridden him his futurity year. Before his return to Helena “Jet” had won about $50,000, but Lovendahl wasn’t sure how well the stallion would run indoors on a small pattern as almost all of his futurity runs had been on standard patterns. The 14.3 stallion was eighth in the first go and fifth in the second go and came into the short go in the number five position, so to safety-up was out of the question. Their near-perfect 12.649 short-go run, which brought cheers from the crowd, was good for that win and was the fastest time posted of the entire weekend. The pair took home $2,714.40.

The Amateur Futurity was won by Andrea Anderson of Lethbridge, Alberta, on her 1998 AQHA chestnut gelding, Sansue Streaker. The gelding is by Kiddin n Streakin out of Docs Baby Sue by Docs Chardonnay. The Amateur Futurity winner was determined by the average of the first two goes and was worth $264.

Lindsay Karp and her winning Derby mount Hesa Rare Runner, a 1997 AQHA bay gelding by Rare Bar out of Sayrun by Sixarun, had to take just a 20-minute road trip to make their winning runs. Hesa Rare Runner is owned by Lindsay’s parents, Jestin and Jolyn Karp of nearby Winston, Montana. This was the first derby win for the duo who were reserve champs at the Wheat Montana Spin Three Derby in Three Forks. Their winnings from the Eqvalan-Gastrogard Barrel of Gold totaled $740.

Dancingrightpastya, a 1996 AQHA chestnut stallion by Marthas Six Moons out of Dancers Hurrah by Last Hurrah, owned by Travis and Amy Lantis of Spearfish, South Dakota, was ridden by Amy to the reserve Derby win and $660.

The high-money winner of the Valley Sales Townsend-Barrel of Gold AW4D-NWBRA barrel races was Heather Baker of Helena. On Saturday she placed third in the 1D on Sheza Smart Alec and tied for fourth on Pixies Skeeter. And on Sunday she and “Smarty” won the 1D for a total of $322.

American West members won Jones Leather Company awards for their AW4D Average Wins: Luane Cutler won the 1D Average and a one-eared silver headstall. Jamie Anderson won the 2D Average and a silver quirt. Kitty Herrin won the Reserve 2D Average and a silver picture frame. Barb Peckham won the 3D Average and a silver bracelet. Ashley Glover won the 4D Average and a buckle set. Alyce Hager won the 1D Senior Average and a browbrand headstall with cowhide. Molly Herrin won the 2D Senior Average and a black blanket with silver trim. Ashley Glover won the Youth Average and a silver box.

NWBRA Open Average Winners were awarded Montana Silversmiths Jewelry: Heather Baker 1D, Jane Leatherberry 2D, Terry Smelko 3D and Brindee Probst 4D.

Kandi Schuman took the digital photography for the event. If you would like a print from the Futurity, Derby or 4D contact her at: PO Box 359, Big Timber, MT 59011, phone (406) 932-4021 or email her at [email protected].

Sid and Janet Erickson said without the continued support of their national sponsor Merial, it would be impossible to put on an event of this caliber, which was ranked the Number 25 Futurity in the nation last year. The Barrel of Gold is sponsored by Eqvalan, Merial’s professional label of ivermectrin wormer, and Gastrogard, Merial’s great product to treat stomach ulcers. And this year Merial featured its new product, FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips, which helps air flow freely during even the most strenuous exercise. Lucky drawing winners got FLAIR strips to try on their mounts. To find out about these great products and where to get them visit www.merial.com.

At the opening of the Futurity & Derby Judy Wagner, the marketing director for Montana Silversmiths and the Barrel of Gold announcer, awarded Janet Erickson a beautiful custom-made Montana Silversmiths’ Eqvalan-Gastrogard trophy buckle in recognition for her support of Merial and all of her local sponsors.

And speaking of local sponsors the Ericksons gave thanks theirs: Valley Ford Sales ($1000 added to AW4D-NWBRA Barrel Race), Cover-All Buildings of Montana  (trophy jackets), Helena Farm Supply (tractor use), Capital Sports & Western (barrel racer watch award), Big R Ranch & Home Supply (halters with lead ropes and Montana Silversmiths jewelry), Jackson Creek Saloon (concessions and futurity champion buckle), Woodpeckers (video party), Julie Dolan Real Estate, American Federal Savings Bank, Green Thumb Garden Center (roses), Barnes Jewelery (jewelery award watches), Montana Silversmiths (jewelry and Eqvalan-Gastrogard Custom Trophy Buckle) and extra special thanks to C.A. and Maxine Carruthers and tractor man Sean Warren