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$100,000 Runaway barrel race hosted in Ponoka

One of the more prestigious barrel racing events brings the best athletes to Ponoka
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The Runaway banner says it all as barrel racer Frankie Wilson turns the final barrel July 29. The Runaway brings more than $100,000 in cash prizes for the best and fastest barrel racers of the day. Wilson placed fourth in the 2D event. Photos by Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye

One of the most prestigious barrel slot race events in western Canada was hosted at the Ponoka Calnash Ag Event Centre.

The Runaway slot race is organized by Leather-N-Lace racing and brings $100,000 in prize money with it. It was held July 29 and it’s no wonder that some of the best and fastest barrel racers take it on.

This is the third year of the high stakes barrel race, explained organizer Laciee Shock. The race on July 28 is an open event that is a bit of a warm up jackpot for the Runaway. It’s in high demand, explained Shock, as there were more than 520 entries on Saturday.

Racers can take certain race time slots, either a morning run, afternoon or early evening, which helps for those competitors who are on the road at other rodeos.

For the Runaway, just over $100,000 in cash, plus prizes are handed out to the top riders in three racing divisions, explained Shock. There are three winners of $20,000, three winners of $10,000 and six winners of $2,000.

Slots for the Runaway are bought for life — it’s capped at 165 entries — and the people who own them can allow others to use the spot. Changes can occur right up until just before a racer crosses the gate. Shock says it’s incredibly popular.

“I personally strive to make this organization kind, professional, bully free. That’s the corner point of what I want,” said Shock.

“I want to provide every competitor equal opportunity to win in a professional environment.”

And that philosophy seems to have translated well with the organization as the ag event centre stands were full during the main Sunday event.

“There wasn’t an event like the Runaway,” said Shock of why she decided to take this on, adding that for some competitors, this creates an opportunity at big winnings without heavy travel.

“It’s a really grassroots organization.”

A charity wine and dash fundraiser was also held where riders had to race to a barrel, drink a glass of wine and then ride to the next barrel. The funds from that event will go to the Ponoka Roping and Riding Club, the Ponoka Food Bank and the Ty Pozzobon Foundation.

As for barrel race times, the top athletes almost broke the 17 seconds mark. The arena record is at 16.824 seconds.

1D winner: Shelby Spielman on Fame N Red Hot ran 17.032 seconds

2D winner: Christine Kind on Crimson Memories ran 17.733 seconds

3D winner: Charly Rae Reeder on Frenchmans Gunner ran 18.455 seconds

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Barrel racer Alyssa Duff makes a solid run at 17.381 seconds July 29 during the Runaway slot race, which saw over $100,000 in cash prizes.
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Ponoka’s Jenny Massing looks for a fast barrel race time July 28 during an open barrel race event. This event preceded the Runaway, which brought some of the fastest barrel racers to Ponoka.
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Shelby Spielman won the Runaway with a time of 17.032 seconds and $20,000. Here she poses with Laciee Shock-Fyfe during the cheque presentations. Photo courtesy of Eugene Erick/Double E Photography