Barrel Racing All Set For Grand Finale Tomorrow
By Robert Thomas
After three days the Saskatchewan Barrel Racing Association’s (SBRA) 2023 provincial finals has gone of without a hitch - not even a minor twitch from a momentarily misplaced pair of cowboy boots.
The event has proceeded to the wildest expectations of organizers.
“It’s been running super smooth. We have been running through about 50 horses per hour,” event co-organizer Nicole Hicks said.
A RIDER JUST TAPS A BARREL DURING ACTION ON WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON- MJ INDEPENDENT PHOTO
“We are right on time where we want to be so yeah everything is good.”
Thursday features all of the open short go competitions.
The short goes well feature the best of the best from the championships.
BARRELING TOWARDS THE FINISH LINE DURING WEDNESDAY AFTERNOONS COMPETITION - MJ INDEPENDENT PHOTO
In order to qualify for Thursday’s short go runs riders and horses had to come in with the top times over the two days to qualify.
Thursday’s runs, are the best of the best in the province.
Thursday’s runs will not have any qualifying runs for such premiere rodeo events such as the Calgary Stampede but nevertheless the quality of barrel racing is up there with the best.
A COMPETITOR MAKES THE TURN AROUND A BARREL DURING COMPETITION ON WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON - MJ INDEPENDENT PHOTO
“We don’t have any of those qualifiers this year, but there are a lot of girls who are here that are still very competitive,” Hicks said.
There has been some impressive runs over the two days of qualifying Open Draw competition. Times which rival the best in the sport.
THE EVENT EVEN FEATURES MASSAGE FOR BACKS THAT HAVE BEEN POUNDED OUT OF SHAPE – MJ INDEPENDENT PHOTO
Speculation is given the times turned in during the Open Draw combined with the quality of the horses and their training that Thursday’s heats are going to be fast competitive and intensive.
Thursday’s - the final day of the provincial championships - start at 9 AM and are predicted to run until approximately 2 PM - 3 PM.
Spectators are welcome to check out the finals and the cost of admission is FREE.
Barrel racing is being held inside at the Golden Mile Arena on the Moose Jaw Exhibition Grounds - 250 Thatcher Drive East.
