THE BARREL PATCH | Western Horse Review

Lee Ann Rust Offers Inspiration

THE BARREL PATCH January 8, 2012

“Success is having the courage, determination, and will, to become the person you believe you were meant to be,” Lee Ann Rust. Mike Copeman Photography

Last year, Lee Ann Rust of Stephenville, Texas rode into the spotlight aboard her horse, Harley, determined to give her all towards her goal of earning the title “2011 WPRA Rookie of the Year”.

Rust has an open, friendly personality that invites you into her ever expanding circle of friends. She welcomed the opportunity to answer my questions and gave me so much more than I expected! Her sense of humor and inspirational answers has renewed my sense of commitment to my own goals in life and I think that you, the reader, will feel that as well.

I asked Rust if she had realized what it would take in terms of time, travel and commitment when she set her goal to compete as a professional barrel racer and earn the title of WPRA Rookie of the Year.

Rust said, “Life as a Pro barrel racer is very demanding and fairly all consuming. I tend to be black or white in my approach to most things of importance. If my goal is big and worthwhile, then it is worth giving my all. If the goal is not worth my all, I tend not to make it a goal, or at least not my major goal. The goal to be Rookie of the Year in WPRA at my age was a “BHAG” (Big Hairy Audacious Goal). Once I dedicated myself to the goal, I went at it with abandon. My entire life was dedicated to the achievement of my goal. Mentally, I burned the bridge behind me and there was no turning back.”

At the age of 53, what gave you the courage to go down this road?

“It did not feel like courage at the time. I was just putting one foot in front of the other and living one day at a time. Ann Thompson of Nash, Texas does all my rodeo entries for me, strategy, logistics, etc. She just sends me emails with the trade lists and I write the info on my calendar. When I get done at a rodeo, I put the next rodeo in my GPS and see how far it is and how long it will take and stick my truck in DRIVE. The hardest time is when I have a few days off and have to decide where I will hang out for those days. I only need a day or two to rest and go to the grocery store.”

How much does your horse, Harley, contribute to your courage?

“Harley is the source of my “courage” and the reason for my decision to “hit the rodeo trail”. God blessed me with stewardship of this awesome animal that I call my friend. It is my desire to allow him to reach his full potential. I am willing and able, due to my life circumstances at this time, to dedicate myself to taking him as far as he is able to go. God is putting people in my life constantly who are teaching me and helping me to be a better steward. Nutrition, energy work, chiropractics, veterinary care, medical/dental care, exercise, horsemanship skills, mental discipline and many more areas are all necessary topics to master for the proper care of Harley, and me as well.”

What are your goals for the 2012 season?

“You know my philosophy; my 2012 goal is to win the CFR and the NFR on Harley.”

In what ways do you feel that your 2011 season helped to lay a foundation for your 2012 season?

“Last year, as a rookie, I was ignorant of a lot of things. Where is the town? Where is the arena? Where do we park? Are there stalls? Is there grass? Will we get stuck? Is barrel racing first or last in slack? TOM TOM (Lee Ann’s GPS) can’t be serious!

“The questions got even more creative from there! Of the 100 or so rodeos we went to last year, I had only been to two before in all my life!! I could not afford to even think about intimidation or I would have never left Stephenville, Texas! That made the whole year one big adventure!

“2012 will be lots easier! We will still run in some places we haven’t been before, like Denver, San Antonio, Houston, Calgary, etc. But for the most part, we will get to run in places we have been before and at least know how to get to the country, state, town and arena! Wow, what a deal! I may even see someone I know when I get there!”

Do you plan on competing in Canada this season?

“I loved rodeoing in Canada, and am looking forward to returning to Canada in late spring!”

Lee Ann Rust and Harley make a run at the 2011 Canadian Finals Rodeo ~ Mike Copeman Photography

What has surprised you the most on your journey as a professional barrel racer?

“This year was full of surprises! I was in awe of the beauty of the country that I got to visit this year! I met some of the most amazing, interesting, funny, friendly, hospitable and helpful people! I was amazed at how well Harley and I were able to do this year. There are some outstanding barrel racers and barrel horses out there, and I feel honored that Harley and I were able to be in the same pen with them! And then to actually be competitive was a real bonus!

What advice would you give to those harboring the dream of being a professional barrel racer?

“You ask me for advice! I will share some thoughts with you about some things I have learned this amazing year.”

• You find what you are looking for in others, so always look for the good.

• You get what you expect out of yourself, so always expect the best.

• When things are less than ideal, ask yourself, “What am I suppose to be learning from this situation?”

• The definition of insanity is, “Doing the same thing, the same way, over and over and expecting a different outcome”. Maybe I need to try something new.

• Change is rarely considered easy, but is sometimes necessary.

• A goal should require us to reach, stretch and grow. Set them high! If you keep looking in the far distance at the goal and imagining having it, the bumps in the road aren’t as rough and there is less chance of getting side tracked or following a rabbit trail. Keep your eye on the prize!

• Smile! Be friendly and helpful if that is how you would like folks to meet and treat you. You get back what you give out.

• Be positive, there is enough negativity already without you adding to it.

• You can go from Hero to Zero in less than 15 seconds, so stay humble! You don’t have nearly as far to fall that way and the landing is easier.

• Live in the moment. The present is a wonderful gift. You have 15 minutes to glory in the “thrill of victory,” or wallow in the “agony of defeat.” Analyze your run; see if there is anything you can change to make it better. Was it you, your horse, or circumstances outside your control? Learn what you can and then move on. There is always another rodeo!

• You will spend more time driving than any other single activity, so get some books on CD that will help you to be successful.

Rust defines success as “having the courage, determination, and will, to become the person you believe you were meant to be.”

The 54-year-old Rust and Harley are off and running towards her goals for 2012, proving that she does, indeed, have the courage, determination and will to pursue her dream of winning the CFR and the NFR.

Dreams are what reality is made of.

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First Run Jitters

THE BARREL PATCH November 10, 2011

BY MELLISA SWORD with LAURA JAMES

Laura James and Stretch. Photo by Bernie Hudyma.

Just a few days ago, we spoke with CFR contender Laura James about her upcoming first performance at the Canadian Finals Rodeo. We caught up with her last night after the performance to review her run. As it turned out, a few nerves, the ability to focus, and a horse who behaves like a “champ,” are the ingredients that carried Laura James through her first Canadian Finals Performance. Just off the mark of earning her first CFR cheque, James 7^th place finish landed her in the middle of the pack – a good start to a competition featuring some of the top names in professional barrel racing. Here’s what she had to say:

“I had a few first-run-at-the-CFR jitters, but stayed quite calm and pretty focused for the main part. Stretch went in there like a true champ, like he always does, and worked good. I needed to be a little more focused and with him, to help us be a bit sharper. We ended up 7th which is crying hole, but it was so much fun! Can’t wait to do it all over again tomorrow night! I am just so happy to be here and to be competing against such great girls.”

Way to go, girl, we’re looking forward to seeing you again this evening! Catch more CFR action from last night, including an interview with last night’s barrel racing winner, Lindsay Sears, at the Breed & Sports News blog.

Contender Q&A

THE BARREL PATCH November 7, 2011

SUBMITTED BY MELISSA SWORD

Laura James

The “Grand Finale” of the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association season, the Canadian Finals Rodeo has been held at the Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta since 1974 and offers one of the richest purses in Canadian Rodeo. Laura James, formerly of Vanderhoof, BC, is a first time CFR qualifier and is pretty excited, to say the least.

You attended most of the CPRA rodeos this year. Was it your goal to qualify for the 2011 Finals?

“I actually set the goal of qualifying for the CFR this year. I have had my full CPRA card for a couple years, but this year making the finals was my main focus and goal.”

How did you feel when you found out you had qualified?

“I was so excited when I found out I had qualified! I am still excited and can’t wait to get to Edmonton!”

This year’s CFR spotlights six performances held November 9^th – 13^th and features the top twelve money-winners from each event. James comes into the CFR as number 10 in the CPRA barrel racing standings.

It takes team work to reach a goal like the CFR, and as such, James’ partnership with Zans Finished Star, aka “Stretch”, along with the support of her family and friends, contributed to this year’s successful outcome.

On the road to the CFR. Mike Copeman Photography

What support have you had, and how important was that support towards reaching your goal?

“I have had an enormous amount of support from my family and friends, which means the world to me. I have traveled with some amazing people this year and have learned so much from them, for which I am grateful. Stretch and I had lots of highs and lows and they were always there pushing me on when I needed a little push and encouraging me to keep going. If I did not have this amazing support system, I would not be where I am today.”

You qualified for the CFR riding Stretch; can you give us a little history on your partnership and training with him?

“I made it to the CFR on one horse, Stretch, who I am very proud of. He is twelve-years-old and I have owned him since he was a three-year-old. He was green-broke when I bought him so once I got a good start and some riding out on him; I took him to the barrels. I took my time on the barrels, was very consistent with his pattern and added speed on the pattern backwards to gain his confidence. I now just exercise him to keep him in shape and work the pattern maybe once a week at a walk/trot unless he needs some fine tuning.”

Each 2011 CFR event pays out $28,214.29 per performance. The top five from each round, and the top five average winners, stand to earn $11,003.57, $8,182.14, $5,360.72, $2,539.29 and $1,128.57 respectively. With the possibility of earning as much as $77,024.99 over the five-day event, any one of the top twelve contestants could be crowned the 2011 CFR Barrel Racing Champion.

Laura and Stretch. Bernie Hudyma Photography

Are you doing anything special to get Stretch ready for the CFR?

“To prepare for the CFR I am trying to keep my routine with Stretch the same as what I have been doing all year. I have a great team of equine specialists (massage, chiro, farrier, vet, acupuncture, etc.) that are helping Stretch to feel his best going into the CFR.”

What is your plan to keep you and your horse feeling “fresh” for six performances over a five-day period?

“I am hoping to keep Stretch feeling fresh and good throughout the 6 performances with some good rest periods during the day ( I am keeping him at a friend’s nearby, rather than at Rexall Place downtown Edmonton), light exercise to keep him limber and some massage and chiro work to keep him feeling 100%. For myself, I am going to try to get lots of rest and really focus on my horse and one run at a time.”

Do you have any advice for those wishing to make it into the CFR?

“If the CFR is a goal of yours, a great support team is critical, as well as a positive attitude, tremendous drive, desire and determination. Don’t ever give up!”

Bring it home, Laura! Bernie Hudyma Photography

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Best of the Rest of BC

THE BARREL PATCH October 15, 2011

SUBMITTED BY MELISSA SWORD

The brain child of Ray Jasper, President of the Quesnel Rodeo Club, the competition was aimed at capturing the cowboys and cowgirls who did not qualify for the BCRA Finals in the barrel racing or team roping, offering them the opportunity to participate in the excitement of the Championship Finals Rodeo atmosphere.

Dalene LeNeve of Quesnel organized the barrel racing, took entries and rounded up $300.00 in added money. Names were drawn from the competitors list for prizes donated by Universal Auto, Ok Tire, Make Traxx Recreation, Load Em Up Petroleum, Fraser River GM, Bouchie Lake Gymkhana Club, and Bobweiser Ranch (Bob & Dalene LeNeve).

“This is me and my horse Neshema. She is 12 and I'm 11. I have had her for a year now and she’s the best horse I’ve had. I love to ride and she's my favourite horse!” Shayla Arnold. Photo by Casey Arnold

The Barrel Racing started off bright and early Saturday morning with the Pee Wee entries. Shayla Arnold of Quesnel won the 1D on her horse Neshema, with a time of 19.097, earning her $53.00. No riders placed in the 2D, Tayler Brears of Quesnel, riding Joker, won the 3D and $32.00. Gracie Antoine on Buddy and Sadie Collins on Goldy placed first and second respectively in the 4D netting them $13.00 and $8.00 in cash to fill their pockets.

The big winner of the morning was Taylor Cherry of Quesnel aboard her fast horse, TC. The twelve-year-old barrel racer won the Open 1D and the Junior 1D with the carryover fast time of 16.710, netting her $256.00 (that is $15.32 per second!).

Taylor and TC put in a fast run. Photo by Tommy Engebretson

Taylor was without her best horse for part of the rodeo season and I asked her to tell me about this fast running athlete she calls TC.

“My horses name is TC, it stands for Taylor Cherry. He is twelve years old, and he was born 2 months later than me. We have raised him and I have trained him myself. TCs favourite food is raisins. Every time I catch him, I give him raisins. TC has been off for awhile but my dad and I just thought it was his shoulder so we got a few people to look at him and put some stuff back in and then he got better for awhile and then got worse again. At Chilliwack rodeo I had to vet out because he was limping so bad. We got a vet to look at him and he said it’s an abscess. I wish someone would have told us that in the first place, but now he’s finally getting better.”

“The Best of the Rest race was great! I enjoyed seeing people that I rodeoed with all year and I finally got a great run in. The people there were great. I got lots of compliments on my run. I can’t wait for next year! Thank you to all the organizers of this event!”

With 85 entries in the barrel racing and 160 teams entered for the team roping, the Race & Rope was deemed a colossal success and Jasper says he hopes the Quesnel Rodeo Club will host the Race & Rope Event, along with the BCRA Championship Finals in 2012.

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The Best of the Best in BC

THE BARREL PATCH September 28, 2011

SUBMITTED BY MELISSA SWORD

BCRA President Trish Kohorst, LBR Finals Champion Sarah Gerard, Miss Rodeo Canada Princess Kirsten Braumandl & Quesnel Rodeo Club President Ray Jasper ~ photo by Sharon MacDonald

The 2011 BCRA Championship Finals Rodeo was held September 16th, 17th & 18th at Alex Fraser Park in Quesnel, BC. This year, all three of the 2011 BCRA Finals Barrel Racing Champions hail from the small community of Savona, BC. Situated on the Trans-Canada Highway 1 at the western end of Kamloops Lake about halfway between Cache Creek and Kamloops, Savona boasts of a population of 650 and is also the home town of Professional Barrel Racer, Joleen Seitz, the 2006 Calgary Stampede LBR $100,000 Winner.

Sarah Gerard came into the 2011 Championship Finals number 6 in the BCRA Ladies Barrel Racing Standings. She placed 5th in the first go round, just out of the money and points, and went on to win the second and third go round and the average, garnering 120 points to lay claim to the 2011 Ladies Barrel Racing Championship, $1,625.00 and a Troy Fischer Trophy buckle.

This is Gerard’s second year competing on her six-year-old mare, Mona, and the second time Mona has qualified Sarah for the BCRA Finals. Gerard purchased Mona as a two-year-old and trained her using some of the methods she learned working with the late, great Kenny Mclean, considered by many to be the greatest Canadian rodeo cowboy of all time.

I noted that Mona didn’t seem to mind running in the mud on Sunday, clocking the fastest time of the day, 15.644. “I ran her at the Finals here in the mud last year and she handled it real well. I just try to stay out of her way,” said Gerard. A practice that seems to be working for her, as Sarah is no stranger to the winner’s circle.

Junior Tosha Seitz puts in a time of 15.527 on Sunday to win the third go ~ photo by Jennifer Hohmann

Junior Barrel Racing Champion, Tosha Seitz, was 5th out of the top six Juniors in the year end standings. Tosha started out Friday night with a fast time that would have won her the first go had it not been for a five second penalty on a downed barrel. Even so, Seitz placed fourth in that round. A third place finish in round two and a first place finish in round three put her second in the average, earning sufficient points to capture the JBR Championship, the Troy Fischer Trophy buckle and $550.00 for the weekend.

2011 is Miss Seitz’s first year competing as a Junior and she has displayed the competent horsemanship her family is known for. Riding her mom’s fifteen-year-old gelding, Guy, Tosha felt a little discouraged after knocking a barrel in the first round but didn’t let that slow her down. She enjoyed the Finals and camping on the grounds with her family for the weekend and is looking forward to attending the BCRA Awards Banquet in November.

2011 BCRA Finals Pee Wee Barrel Racing Champion Elly Farmer ~ photo by Jennifer Hohmann

This is the first year Elly Farmer has qualified for the BCRA Finals. Miss Farmer ended the 2011 rodeo season sitting 2nd in the standings out of the top six Pee Wee Barrel Racers. After winning the first two rounds, a knocked barrel placed her 4th in the third go and 2nd in the average but still earned her 120 points to win the Pee Wee Barrel Racing Championship, the Troy Fischer Trophy buckle and $280.00 for the weekend.

Elly shares a little bit of her history, some information about her horse and her first Finals experience.

“I am nine-years-old and I have been riding since I was three. This was my first ever BCRA Finals and also was my horses first summer of rodeo. I am so proud of her!”

“Her name is DFL Hicka Haida, aka, Snap. She was raised by our friends Bob and Mary Lynn Zirnhelt, Zirnhelt Cutting Horses. Snap is only six-years-old and I started riding and running barrels on her in June at Little Britches Rodeos. She was started on barrels by Sarah Gerard. I would like to say thank you to the Gerard Family for all that they have done for me!”

“In such a short time Snap and I have had a lot of success and first time experiences, one being making it to the BCRA Finals and running under the lights for the night performances and large crowds. Also, surviving the big hail storm on the Sunday Performance!”

“Snap always amazes me every time we run, I love her! I look forward to next rodeo season!”

Go to BCRA Website for full Results: www.rodeobc.com

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Quesnel Rodeo Barrel Racing Champs

THE BARREL PATCH August 3, 2011

SUBMISSION BY MELISSA SWORD

Katie Garthwaite, the 2011 Quesnel Barrel Racing Champion. Photo By Josh Johnson

The 2011 Rodeo Season has been fraught with inclement weather but the rain held off for all three performances of the 45^th Annual Quesnel Rodeo held on July 15^th,16^th and 17^th. Friday’s mud gradually dried out and Sunday’s ground was fast and furious as the barrel racers put in some of the quickest times of the weekend.

Fastest time of the weekend posted by Katie Garthwaite of Merritt, BC. Photo by Josh Johnson

Katie Garthwaite of Merritt, BC was the only contestant to post a time below the 16 second mark. Garthwaite’s time of 15.955, put in on Sunday, won her the Ladies Barrel Racing Championship Buckle and a cheque for $987.12. Winning the 2011 Junior Barrel Racing Championship was Sarah Mack of Quesnel with a time of 16.545, netting her a cheque for $379.00. Amy Hume of Williams Lake, BC clocked a time of 17.769 on her horse Ace to win the Peewee Barrel Racing Championship and $196.00.

Sarah Mack and Sissy the 2011 Junior Barrel Racing Champion. Photo by Shelly Mack

Miss Mack and Miss Hume were also awarded Trophy Blankets in addition to their Championship Buckles. The beautiful red blankets are sponsored by the Wills Family of Quesnel, BC in memory of their daughter, Jenna (The Jenna Wills Memorial Fund). Each year the blankets are presented by Brenda Wills to the Peewee and Junior Barrel Racing Champions of the Quesnel Rodeo.

Amy Hume and Ace, the 2011 Quesnel Rodeo Peewee Champion. Photo by Ron Hume

Ten-year-old Amy Hume has been having a banner year competing on Ace. Ace is her mom’s (Jenny Hume) old barrel horse and Miss Hume has been riding him since attending her first BCBRA Finals at the age of five. As well as winning the Quesnel Rodeo and Hank Vogel Memorial Race peewee division, Miss Hume is currently leading the 100 Mile Gymkhana series and in line for a saddle.

The Quesnel Rodeo Club is in the midst of preparations for the BCRA Championship Finals Rodeo to be held at Alex Fraser Park September 16th, 17, & 18th. The top ten competitors from each event will contend for the title of 2011 Finals Champion. See you all there!

Amy Hume’s winning run at the Quesnel Rodeo on Ace

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Barrel Racing at Williams Lake Stampede

THE BARREL PATCH July 18, 2011

SUBMITTED BY MELISSA SWORD

Limited Edition by Photographer Liz Twan Featuring BC Barrel Racer Pamela Morrison. Courtesy of Liz Twan and the Williams Lake Stampede Committee

A tradition that began in 1919, the Williams Lake Stampede is a much anticipated four day event held annually on the July 1^st long weekend in the beautiful and rustic city of Williams Lake, located on Highway 97 – 540 km Northeast of Vancouver.

Filled with excitement and featuring Canadian Professional Rodeo Association action events such as Bull Riding, Bareback and Saddle Bronc Riding, Steer Wrestling, Tie Down Roping and Barrel Racing, the Williams Lake Stampede is a crowd pleasing family event. The 2011 show was a sell-out and the stands were filled with foot stomping, hand clapping fans there to cheer on their favourite rodeo athletes.

This year’s roster of barrel racers included contestants from Texas, Minnesota, Nebraska, Arizona, Oklahoma and Florida as well as from British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan. The fast paced barrel racing action kicked off with slack held on Thursday June 30^th and ended in the mud with performance number four Sunday afternoon.

The 2011 Barrel Racing Champion was Janet Bjornson of Clive, AB putting in the fastest time of the four day event on Sunday afternoon, 16.34, netting her a payout of $5,316.00. Kendra Edey of Longview, AB ran a close second with a time of 16.37, earning her a cheque for $4,252.00.

LADIES BARREL RACING RESULTS	85^TH ANNUAL WILLIAMS LAKE STAMPEDE
1	Janet Bjornson – Clive, AB	16.34	$5,316
2	Kendra Edey	16.37	$4,252
3	Kelly Fogle	16.48	$3,455
4	Rylee McKenzie	16.57	$2,658
5	Rhonda McLeod	16.58	$2,126
6/7	Laura James	16.6	$1,462
6/7	Joleen Seitz	16.6	$1,462
8	Julie Leggett	16.62	$1,196
9	Melanie Beeton	16.65	$1,063
10/11	Lisa Zachoda	16.7	$864
10/11	Janet Cunningham	16.7	$864
12	Haley Elliott	16.71	$664
13	Judy Hyde	16.72	$532
14	Traci MacDonald	16.73	$399
15	Mary Sword	16.74	$266

It was an exciting close race, with a spread of four tenths of a second between first and last place of the top fifteen riders and Williams Lake is already in the planning stages for the 2012 Stampede.

Here’s a look at the winning run with Janet Bjorson:

2011 Rope N Run

THE BARREL PATCH May 26, 2011

SUBMITTED BY MELISSA SWORD

Kelli Mackenzie & Amy, Saturday Junior 1D Winner ~ Bernie Hudyma photo

Pam Evenson is one busy lady. Give her a call and her answering machine announces that you have reached the office of Gamache Trucking, Crooked Horn Ranch, Rope N Run Events and the home of Chad, Pamela, Cassidy and Brayden Evenson.

For the third year in a row, Evenson has undertaken the intimidating job of putting on the ROPE N RUN, a three day event held April 29^th, 30^th and May 1^st at the Mount Paul Centre (KXA) in Kamloops, BC. The 2011 event featured Team Roping, Breakaway Roping, Ranch Horse Competition and Barrel Racing in conjunction with the Horse Sale.

Kelle Noble & Ace, Saturday Open 1D Winner ~ Bernie Hudyma photo

Evenson said the number of barrel racing entries were up from 2010, with a total of 347 runs for the weekend. When asked how many hours it took to pull this three day event together, Evenson replied, “A lot! I didn’t keep track. There were three of us and we started working on it in December.”

Harley Antoine & Jolee, Saturday & Sunday Peewee 1D Winner ~ Bernie Hudyma photo

The inspiration for the ROPE N RUN came about when rodeo announcer, auctioneer and businessman, Tim Terepocki, approached Chad and Pam Evenson with the idea of having a horse sale. Evenson felt that a horse sale alone would not bring in a lot of people but by incorporating the sale with Team Roping and Barrel Racing events, people would come.

To get the job done and survive, Evenson has learned to delegate. This year, Lisa Whitman acted as manager for the Barrel Racing. They used the Barrel Race America software to speed things up and maintain accuracy. Evenson insisted on proper care and maintenance of the ground and said it was excellent this year. “If you have good ground, people will come back. We wanted this to be a family event and I think we have succeeded with that.”

Evenson felt that the Ranch Horse Competition was popular with people. “The high selling horses were the ones who placed well in this competition. Buyers wanted the aged geldings with ranch experience, a horse they could take home, saddle up and ride.”

Cindy Mussel on Goldie, Saturday Senior 1D Winner ~ Bernie Hudyma photo

Saturday’s Open 1D winner was Kelle Noble riding Ace running a time of 17.793 to win $676.00. Janet Cunningham and her horse, Zipper, put in the fast time of the weekend, 17.630, to win Sunday’s Open 1D and fatten up her wallet with $693.00.

Kelli Mackenzie won Saturday’s Junior 1D, running a 18.468 on her horse, Amy, to win $77.00. Tosha Seitz was the Junior 1D winner on Sunday with a time of 18.396 on her horse Sarge, winning $172.00.

Saturday’s Senior 1D winner was Cindy Mussel riding Goldie. Cindy clocked a time of 18.202 to win $87.00. Sandra Thomas riding Starz Six put in the winning time of 18.213, placing her first in the Senior 1D on Sunday and earning her $129.00.

Peewee Harley Antoine, riding her horse Jolee won the 1D on Saturday and Sunday. Harley ran times of 20.914 and 19.967, earning her $230.00 for the weekend.

Evenson says she enjoyed the good atmosphere this year and has plans in mind for the 2012 ROPE N RUN EVENTS, even though she considers herself crazy for adding anything else to her already full schedule. I say, “Crazy is good”.

Cowgirl Celebrates 106 Years

THE BARREL PATCH May 10, 2011

SUBMITTED BY NATIONAL COWGIRL MUSEUM & HALL OF FAME

When Isora DeRacy Young saw her first day of life in 1904, it was without the fanfare that she has since experienced as an independent woman who developed a national reputation in the rodeo arena, as well as a rancher and business woman.

Set to celebrate her 106^th birthday on May 20, Isora Young of Stephenville, Texas, is the oldest living member of the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame. She may also be the oldest living woman in Texas following the death of Eunice Sanborn of Jacksonville, Texas, on January 2011, at the age of 114.

The Texas Legislature will honor Young with a proclamation on May 20^th and will fly a flag over the Texas Capital Building that will be later presented to her.

Young was inducted into the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame in 1979 and was honored for her role as a champion calf roper and barrel racer from a time when women in rodeo were very rare. She began competing in the early 1930s and was promoted as one of only two cowgirl calf ropers in the world. She followed the rodeo circuit all across the country and aided in the organization of the GRA until she retired to ranching.

“Isora is a great testimony to the resiliency of women raised in the West,” said the Museum’s Executive Director Pat Riley. “Women of today can learn so much from her life that included fame, a long marriage and the birth of her entrepreneurial spirit.”

Young, who still lives independently with a cat named Sugar, was recently profiled in Erath County Living where she speaks of a life that did not include public school until she was 15 and being named a deputy sheriff in Reeves County where she carried a pearl-handled revolver while she collected taxes.

She married I.W. “Dub” Young in 1939 and the two traveled throughout the West competing in rodeos before buying a ranch near Stephenville. After leasing their ranch in 1947, they moved to South Dakota to ranch and continue rodeoing until their retirement from the sport. The couple returned to Erath County and Isora began an income tax service business. When Dub died in 1976, Isora had 400 customers and moved to Stephenville.

“I wanted to stay on the ranch but Dub told me when he was gone, I should move to town,” she related to the magazine. “So that’s what I did.”

Young enjoys a family that includes three granddaughters, six great-grandchildren and five great great grandchildren.

“I’ve sure had fun,” she said. “I can eat anything I want and I really like spicy food. I haven’t been sick that much; my hearing and eyesight are not what they used to be, but I can still get around all right. I’ve got wonderful memories, but all my old friends are gone.”

The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame honors and celebrates women, past and present, whose lives exemplify the courage, resilience, and independence that helped shape the American West, and fosters an appreciation of the ideals and spirit of self-reliance they inspire.

Located at 1720 Gendy Street in Fort Worth’s Cultural District, the museum includes interactive exhibit galleries, three theaters, a retail store and a grand rotunda housing the Hall of Fame. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult admission is $10 and $8 for children ages 3 to 12 and seniors ages 60 and up. Please visit www.cowgirl.net or call 817.336.4475 or 800.476.FAME (3263) for more information.

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