CHARLES TWEED/Ponoka News
It was a battle drawn between the 48th parallel during the ladies’ barrel racing event at the 75th Ponoka Stampede.
Susan Smith, from Blackfoot, Idaho, had the fastest time of the week posting a 17.11 second run, which was 0.25 seconds faster than the next closest time. Smith won the average with a time of 34.55 over two runs.
The next fastest average was Sammi Bessert, from Loma, Colo., who had a time of 34.88.
The two top times from the states were flanked by the next two fastest times which came out of Alberta.
Lindsey Sears, from Nanton, clocked a total time of 34.91 in her two runs while Traci MacDonald, from Erskine, was fourth with a time of 35.04.
The runs ensured a showdown that featured two riders from the United States and two from Canada.
Sunday’s showdown proved a flip-flop in the standings as the Canadian riders used the hometown crowd to post the two fastest times.
Sears won the showdown with a time of 17.38 while MacDonald was 0.03 seconds back, good for second spot.