Barrel racers worked to bring their fastest times during the Fast Time Barrel Race last weekend at the Calnash Ag Event Centre.
The jackpot was held Friday, Aug. 14 to 16 and brought hundreds of races over the weekend, explained co-organizer Les Greipl. “This is our first one and hopefully we’ll have a yearly event,” he said.
A 4D system was set up for the weekend, said Greipl. Depending on a rider’s time they would get categorized in 1D, 2D, 3D or 4D, with 1D being the fastest racers. Greipl said the top nine racers in each division were paid out.
He said their goal is to create a strong racing event that can be held year after year. This year’s race was organized in a relatively short time after Greipl heard there was an opening at the ag centre.
“This spring we just decided we were going to put one on,” explained Greipl of his and co-organizer Blain Genest’s intention to grow the race in the future.
One of the biggest challenges organizers faced this year was getting the program together with relatively short notice. Greipl suggests they will have a better opportunity to improve on next year’s race as they will be more prepared.
He expects they will be able to bring more sponsorship to next year’s race.
Not only was he the organizer but Greipl, who trains colts, competed in the weekend’s activities. He feels the Fast Time Barrel Racing was held at an ideal time as the Alberta Barrel Racing Association finals starts at the ag event centre on the week of Aug. 17.
He said without support from sponsors the event would not have been possible. “We were a little late getting a lot of sponsorship money, but I thought we did pretty good for this year,” said Greipl.
The fastest racers received prize money and a buckle and here are the top racers in each division:
Open Division:
• 1D Briana Baudin with a 17.367 ran on Sunday;
• 2D Tamara Bonnett with a 18.100 ran on Sunday;
• 3D Charlene Humphrey with a 18.767 ran on Sunday;
• 4D Kristyn Werner with a 19.476 ran on Sunday.
Youth Division:
• 1D Reagan Tebb with a 17.293 ran on Sunday;
• 2D Cati McArthur with a 18.087 ran on Sunday;
• 3D Emily Thiessen with a 18.764 ran on Saturday;
• 4D Shaz Simoneau with a 19.393 ran on Sunday.
***Correction***
The date of the jackpot was held Aug. 7 to 9, not Aug. 14 to 16 as stated in the story. We regret the error.