Barrel racers wrap up competition

The Golden Mile Arena at the Moose Jaw Exhibition Grounds had a full house on Friday during the final day of a provincial barrel racing competition.
Riders from across the prairie provinces competed in the Saskatchewan Barrel Racing Association (SBRA) finals held over the last three days in Moose Jaw.
Racers competing in the event had to participate in six jackpot competitions throughout the year to be able to qualify for the SBRA finals.
The top 60 riders from each division competed on Friday in the short go events.
The competition was fast during the open division event.
"It is such an adrenaline rush," said Tanya Stover, a competitor from Qu'Appelle, Sask. "It's over in a heart beat and the winner will take first place by fractions of a second."
Stover was working with a new horse, Shy, which she had purchased in June.
"She is working out very well. I come from a rodeo family and have been around horses all my life. Shy is going to be a great horse one day," said Stover.
Lisa Lockie from Balgonie competed in the Saskatchewan Breeders Barrel Bonanza, placing second, and said riders need to have the competitive edge to be able to compete in barrel racing.
"You have to have the drive and love of horses to keep coming back to these events," said Lockie.
The barrel bonanza is an open event for the riders, but is limited to only horses who were sired in Saskatchewan.
"The horse has to be young, no older than six years old, and has to have been fathered by horse in Saskatchewan," said Lockie. "It's a great event because it gives riders without experience a chance to compete and possibly win some money or prizes."
Priscilla Tames, the president of the SBRA, said she was very happy with the outcome of the event.
"It has been a great time. Moose Jaw has been an excellent host city. We didn't get to see very much as the competitions ran until 11 p.m. every night but we have had a lot of support from people in the city," said Tames.
Tames said although traditionally the sport is for women, two men competed at this year's finals.
"We don't normally have men competing," said Tames. "Barrel racing comes from the rodeo and is popular with women. It was great to have them here and the crowd response was fantastic."

Colin Dewar can be reached at 691-1263.