On November 28, the Lamar Community College Spur’N Lopes Equine Club hosted their first Vegas Challenge 4D Barrel Racing Jackpot in the LCC Equine Complex indoor arena. Barrel racers from Kansas to Colorado Springs ran a National Finals Rodeo (NFR) standard pattern to compare times with those at the NFR in Las Vegas.
“This was a great opportunity for these ladies to see how their runs will compare with the top 15 racers at the 2017 National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas starting December 7,” said Tori Hawks, LCC Recruiter and club sponsor.
Students in the Spur’ N Lopes Equine Club put on the jackpot from start to finish, learning about all the steps involved in hosting a barrel race including office work, marking the pattern, working the ground, advertising, announcing, and more.
Adrianna Ruggieri, President of the Spur’N Lopes, was pleased with the outcome of the event, which was the second race the club has hosted this fall.
“Thank you everyone for coming!” she said. “It was a great learning experience for all of us. We learned how to host an event and we are glad everyone enjoyed it.”
The Open race finished with a tie at 14.619 with two great runs from local ladies, Dwana Salisbury on Gentleman’s Dash and Shali Lord on Lady La French. Salisbury won the coin flip to take home the 1D Belt Buckle.
“The Vegas Challenge race at LCC was a great event and I really appreciate all involved for making it possible,” said Lord. “It is really nice to have somewhere to run in the area.”
Keylee Yates Ortiz of La Junta won the 2D and the buckle on her horse Slick with a 15.556 and the 3D spot and buckle were awarded to Leeann Ridley of Las Animas with a 15.621 on her horse Tom. Dawni O’Bryan of Lamar took home the 4D title with a time of 16.132 on Superstar.
The Peewee winner with a fast time of 16.129 was Jacee Kravig on her horse Dashing Cashanova. Braxton O’Bryan won the junior division on Superstar with a 16.336. Both Peewee and Junior division winners took home a Tough One winter horse blanket.
The club would like to thank all their event sponsors, whose support helped purchase prizes for the Vegas Challenge: Colorado Mills, Zane Tempel Cattle Company, Mackey Reality, Twisted H Buckling Bulls, and Shane Hawks.
Follow Horse Training & Management at Lamar Community College on Facebook for more great events, to see what is happening at the LCC Equine Complex, and follow the Spur’N Lopes Equine Club.