BEAR RIVER — Barrel racing on horseback is viewed as a rodeo sport designed for girls and women.  Barrel racing requires skill and lots of practice on the part of the rider and the horse in order to make sharp turns around the barrel at a fast pace without knocking the barrel over.

There are barrels placed at three positions; two placed on either side of the arena and one toward the back so the horse and rider start at one end of the arena, racesto and circle around the first barrel on the right then race to go around the barrel on the left and last around the barrel at the end of the arena and then races back to the starting point.  The races are judged on timing.

In January of this year, a few parents, grandparents and horse lovers from Uinta County and the Randolph, Utah area got together and formed a formal non-profit 501c(3) organization and recruited sponsors and raised funds so that women and girls could have a chance to compete and win prizes.

The name of the organization is Just 4 Fun Barrel Racing. The members of the board of directors are: Nora Webster – President; Tim Ray – Vice President; Teresa Hoffman and Jeanne Myers share secretarial duties; and Megan Hoffman is the media specialist.  Riley Hoffman is the announcer for the racing events.

“Our first season has been a huge success, thanks to the participants, sponsors and the board members,” Webster said. “This would not have been possible without the support of the parents who made sure their barrel racers were there for the weekly events. A big special thanks to Wyoming Downs.”

The summer jackpot series consisted of barrel racing events held at a small arena near the race tracks, courtesy of Wyoming Downs. The events were held on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. for seven evenings on June 6, 13, 20, 27 and July 11, 18 and 25.  Age divisions for competing are the PeeWee division for youth ages 10 and under; youth division for ages 11 to 14; and the open division for ages 15 and above.  Contestants can enter more than one time, pay a minimal entry fee for each entry, ranging from $10 to $30 depending on which division they are in and they can join as a member of the organization if they desire for a separate fee. 

On July 25, the series of events ended with a final competition, a BBQ and an awards ceremony. Sponsors who donated the silver belt buckles which were given to winners were: Addicted Sports, M & M Truly Western, Dream Weaver Transportation, Alliance Drilling Tools, Redi Services, State Line Metals, B & C Angus Bulls and B & C Fencing, Big O Tires and Rocky Mountain Yeti.

Other prizes including monetary ones were donated by Cazins, Les Schwab Plains Tire Center, Freeway Tire, El Paso Restaurant, Jalisco Mexican Grill, Dominoes, Little Caesars, The Lumber Yard, Murdochs, Le Sage Studio Alpaca Farm, Ivory & Iron, Best Kind Embroidery, Cally Leavitt Salon, Aspen Cinemas, Uinta Lane Bowling and Edge of Town Pizza, Westar Printing, Arby’s, Paffs, Wendy’s and Crawford Trough Restaurant.  Prizes included head stalls, breast collars, spurs, sacks of grain and buckets, and multiple gift certificates.

After the competition, Sandy and Barry Rochford prepared a meal of hamburgers, hot dogs and all the trimmings ready for the contestants and family members.  The barrel racing club provided the food.

Wyoming Downs donated the use of the arena, water truck and tractor for disking the arena. 

After the meal, the winners in each age division were announced by Riley Hoffman. Each division lined up to receive prizes and photos taken with sponsors.

Secretary Teresa Hoffman said, “The Just 4 Fun Barrel Racing has had a successful racing season. The girls have progressed in their timing and they had a lot of fun. Thanks to a big help and support from Addicted Sports and all our great sponsors and to Wyoming Downs for providing an arena for us to compete in.”

Winners of the PeeWee division (10 & under) each received a silver buckle and other prizes.

In the 1-D points division:

1. Haisley Hoffman on Bullseye, 2. Rangely Cornia on Cowboy

In the 2-D points

division:

1. Haisley Hoffman on Bullseye

In the 3-D division:

1. Rangely Cornia on Cowboy

In the 4-D points

division:

1. MaKenly Ray on Pinto, 2. Macie Matthews on Sissy, 3. Emery Matthews on Sissy, 4. Denim Dee Dominguez on Suds (Denim is 3 years old), 5. Joci Matthews on Tilly, 6. Brexlee Taylor on Jax (Brexlee is 3 years old)

Winners of the Youth division (ages 11 to 14). First place winners all received a silver buckle.

In the 1-D points

division:

1. Karli Crompton on Bridger, 2. Lily Barker on Bailey

In the 2-D points

division:

1. (Tie) Lily Barker on Bailey and Oaklee Taylor on Famous Charmer

In the 3-D points

division:

1. (Tie) Lily Barker on Bailey and Kira Hoffman on Tip, 3. Miley Hoffman on Smoke

In the 4-D points

division:

1. Miley Hoffman on Smoke, 2. Haisley Hoffman on Bullseye, 3. Kira Hoffman on Somewhat, 4. MaKenly Ray on Pinto, 5. Ellee Matthews on Little Red, 6. (Tie) Oaklee Taylor on Famous Charmer and Kira Hoffman on Tip

Winners in the Open Age division (15 years and up). First place winners received a silver buckle.

In the 1-D points

division:

1. Karli Crompton on Bridger, 2. Calli VanTassell Dominguez on Our Dicey Man, 3. Jessica Graber on Shaunda

In the 2-D points

division:

1. Andee Cornia on Charlie, 2. (Tie) Karli Crompton on Bridger and Jessica Graber on Shaunda

In the 3-D points

division:

1. Tess Dipiero on Summer, 2. Andee Cornia on Charlie, 3. (Tie) Samantha Hakala on Aurora and Karli Crompton on Bridger, 5. (3-way Tie) Kyndra McKinney on Speedy Lil Flit, Jessica Graber on Shaunda and Kira Hoffman on Tip.

In the 4-D points

division:

1. Miley Hoffman on Smoke, 2. Samantha Hakala on Aurora, 3. Marcy Ray on Leta, 4. Tess Dipiero on Summer, 5. Kira Hoffman on Somewhat, 6. Kyndra McKinney on Speedy Lil Flit, 7. Andee Cornia on Charlie, 8. Lily Barker on Bailey, 9. Jessica Graber on Shaunda, 10. Kira Hoffman on Tip