Barrel racing series sprints to finish line

By Tyler Lowey, Times Reporter

The second season of the Double S Barrel Racing wrapped up Oct. 1 at the Strathmore Agricultural Society Rodeo Grounds.
Ladies of all ages, from as far north as Stettler and as far south as Lethbridge showed up to compete in the two-day final, Sept. 30 and Oct. 1.
The series held six double headers this past summer in Strathmore and in Indus. Typically, an event will host around 150 contestants for the weekend, but in the final, the field was cut down to just over 80, with plenty of local competitors.
The finals were split into four divisions, handing out 10 prizes to the 10 fastest riders within a one-second window.
Kelsey Hubley was the fastest local. She placed fourth in the 1D group with a time of 18.944 on her horse J.C.
Holly Myers was the fastest rider on the weekend, taking the 1D group in 18.551 on her horse Cruz.
The 2015 Strathmore Rodeo Queen Shayla Gerencer captured the 2D group title with a time of 19.556 on her horse Tigger.
Winners of each group received $375. Cash winnings were also handed out to the next three fastest riders in each group. Riders who placed 6-10 took home non-cash prizes.
Pam Sinclair rode Magnum to a fifth-place finish in the 3D group. Not too far behind her was Lisa Wheatley on Crossfire in 6th with a time of 20.842. Tristyn Erikson snuck in the top 10 with a ninth place finished on Santana in 21.144 seconds.
Haley Buck rounded out the local competitors to place. She rode Spartan to a 23.227 finish, good enough for fifth in the 4D group. She also took home a belt buckle as the most improved rider.
“This was an amazing season. We would like to thank Herb McLean and the Ag Society for helping us out this year. We would like to organize some events during the winter, we just need to find a place to do so,” said producer Denise Sluggett. “If not, we are hoping everyone comes out next summer for another great season.”