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Lyle Norn memorial barrel racing series in its second year

Organizers of last year’s Lyle Norn Memorial Barrel Race Series put together a second series in what is becoming an annual event.
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Brooklyn Cowles turns a barrel Wednesday

Organizers of last year’s Lyle Norn Memorial Barrel Race Series were so excited about it they have put together a second series in what is becoming an annual event.

One of the co-organizers Kaylee-Jo Henkelman said the event was put together to honour her grandfather Lyle Norn, who died after a battle of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and was also a big supporter of rodeo.

Norn also suffered from CO2 retention, which is an issue where not enough carbon dioxide is removed from the lungs.

The second series started Wednesday, May 20 at the Ponoka Stampede Grounds with 80 entries.

The event is also a fundraiser for the Lung Association for Alberta and the Northwest Territories and Henkelman said they raised $6,500 last year for the association.

She hopes to bring in more money this year through raffle sales of donated items.

Her main goal is to raise more money to support research for finding a cure to COPD and Henkelman recommends people receive a medical checkup on the issue. She says there are many people who don’t know they have a problem until too late.

“That’s what our series is primarily about,” said Henkelman.

Because of Norn’s involvement in rodeo, Henkelman says many people have come together to help out and tell stories about his adventures.

“I feel like I learned more about my grandpa than I knew before,” she said.

“It’s just so cool to see him through the light and the eyes of his friends,” she added.

Henkelman said they are hosting a double header Saturday, May 30, a single race Wednesday, June 3 and another double header Saturday, June 13.

Henkelman said Ponoka County is the sponsor of a $3,000 credit for a saddle for the winner of the open group and Jones Boys Saddlery and Western Wear is sponsoring a $3,000 credit for a saddle for the youth winner.

For more information on the series check out the 2nd Annual Lyle Norn Memorial Barrel Race Series on Facebook.