The Alberta Barrel Racing Association (ABRA) Finals were held Aug. 23rd to the 28th at the Calnash Ag Event Centre in Ponoka and saw over a thousand compete over the week.
“There were lots of wonderful runs and lots of money and prizes handed out. Everybody seemed very happy. The facility was wonderful and our vendors were fantastic. It was a great week,” said ABRA Public Relations Tamera Campanelli.
This year’s event saw the format change a bit to help with the competitors’ schedules.
“We moved the youth to the beginning of the week so that some of our youth that compete in high school rodeo as well have the opportunity to make it to the first high school rodeo of the year in Stettler.”
Campanelli said that there was one section of competitors that ran the Wednesday and Thursday with the open and the second set that ran the Friday and Saturday.
“We compiled all of those into first round and second round and average and then brought back 250 for the open short go on Sunday,” said Campanelli.
“The scheduling was really our big change. Besides that everything pretty much stayed status quo, simply because of the size of the event. Once you have something that’s a well-oiled machine you don’t want to change it,” she added with a laugh.
This year’s open high point winner was Rene Leclercq riding Jewelsrobinthecash. The 1D winner of the open short go was Rylee Mckenzie riding GKS French Fries, while the open short go 2D winner was Tammy Hamilton riding Jus Sizzler Man.
This year’s youth high point winner was Shayla Shupac riding Cartel Snip Paradise, while the youth short go 1D winner was Ellie Havens riding Espcially Streakn.
Tavia Tolsma riding Miss Sixx took home first place in the 1D Pee Wee event. Campanelli said the youngest rider in the pee wee event was just three or four years old.
First place in the 1D Seniors Incentive, which is over the age of 50, was Laurie Bresee riding Bullys Red Tequila.
Campanelli said this year’s open youth and pee wee payout came out to $198,900 in total, with prizes of almost $144,000 handed out, which included custom saddles, buckles, blankets and more. On top of this the senior incentives paid out $5,525, while the 5 year old incentives paid $4,175 and the 6 year old incentives paid $3,850. The incentive totals are based on the number of entries.
With 45 vendors and over a thousand riders, the event was a great success.
More results can be found by visiting albertabarrelracing.com.