Barrel Racing at Williams Lake Stampede

SUBMITTED BY MELISSA SWORD

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.

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: