SBRA Provincial Finals Lauded At Council

By Robert Thomas

The Moose Jaw Exhibition Association, or more correctly the Saskatchewan Barrel Racing Association (SBRA), receive kudos at Council’s Monday afternoon meeting.

Councillor Doug Blanc rose at the beginning of the meeting to toast the SBRA’s provincial barrel racing championships held August 14th - August 18th at the Golden Mile Arena.

An event he said had a major economic impact on Moose Jaw.

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“A few weeks ago they held the Saskatchewan Barrel Racing (Association’s) barrel, racing competition up there. I’ve never been into horses, but they had 260 participants up there and over 400 horses,” Councillor Blanc said.

“It is hard to say how much of an economic spin off this has for the city but the low estimate is about $400,000 was spent in this city,” he said.

ACTION FROM THE 2023 SASKATCHEWAN BARREL RACING PROVINCIAL FINALS PEE WEE EVENT - MJ INDEPENDENT FILE PHOTO

Councillor Blanc gave the story about one of the riders who had spent a large amount of money at Moose Jaw eateries.

“One participant up there said he visited almost every restaurant in Moose Jaw. So that shows what kind of spinoff it had (economically).”

In a previous MJ Independent article, event organizer Nicole Hicks stated although many of the participants stayed in trailers on the exhibition grounds that a large number would be out partaking in Moose Jaw, eateries and other local businesses.

Hicks also said for many participants it’s their summer holidays where they stay in hotels, eat at restaurants and swim in the pool.

Councillor Blanc went on to toast, the staff and volunteers at the event for providing pristine running conditions for all participants.

He said in barrel racing riders want to be first out the gate before the course’s condition deteriorates with the number of riders.

“Because the ground was so get up there because of the maintenance people doing their job, the first place winner came in as number 245 out of 260 (riders). That is very rare,” Councillor Blanc stated.

It needs to be noted that the SBRA’s provincial barrel racing championships receive no City of Moose Jaw funding to hold their annual event in Moose Jaw.