By Annyssa Howerton The Navajo County Fairgrounds in Holbrook hosted Friday Night Fall Barrel Series on Aug. 27 bringing in horses and their riders to compete from throughout the region. Barrel rider Jayme Fish of Taylor explained what barrel racing is and why she competes. “Well, I do it because I love it. Most horse races are you and a teammate; in barrel racing, your horse is your teammate.” Fish said. The events are a way for riders to not only compete but even earn a little cash if they time in the top three. Barrel racing involves placing three barrels a triangular shape from the entrance to the arena also known as the alleyway (where the horse and rider come from). The riders maneuver their horses to make a tight circle around all three barrels, giving the horse little room to conform to the shape of the barrel. In this event, the fastest time wins but if a horse knocks down a barrel there’s a five second penalty. The rider and the horse make a quick cloverleaf pattern around the barrels before racing home to see where they land on the leaderboard. Due to her job as an ICU nurse, Fish isn’t able to compete with a team a lot of the time, so she really enjoys getting to compete with her two horses Smart Lady In Red ‘Corvette’ and Pineapple Tart ‘Camaro.’ The riders in these events can range from those just starting to compete with their horses to those who have been involved with horses since they were kids. “I have been around horses my whole life and have been competing in barrel racing for the past eight years. Prior to that, I have ridden with the Generations West Rodeo Drill team for 13 years, carried flags for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo for three years, and was Miss Rodeo Arizona in 2012,” Fish said. For this event Fish placed ninth in 2-D competition on Pineapple Tart ‘Camaro’ with a time of 17.352. In 4-D competition she got no time on Smart Lady In Red ‘Corvette.’ As part of this barrel racing event, Maintenance Foreman Jose Villareal was recognized for 35 years that he has taken care of the fairgrounds. In presenting the award Manager/Event Director Michelle Stock said, “He’s been here since 1986, he knows every inch of these fairgrounds, he’s practically famous. But even more important, especially to all of us that barrel race, this guy knows his dirt. I think I can speak for everyone how much we all appreciate the long hard work, the extra attention and effort that goes into making the Navajo County Fair arena the best and most safe place in the whole state of Arizona to run barrels in.” Barrel Racing Producer Megan Stock presented him with an award and noted, “I don’t know anyone who knows these grounds like he does. There’s 40 acres and he knows where everything is.” Barrel races are normally held twice a month with 70-80 contestants for Open Races, and 40-50 contestants for Youth Races. Youth entries are ages 13 and under. Results for youth follow. In 1-D competition, Crosslyn Vest on Clancy won with a time of 16.941, earning $132; Trysyn Heisley on Birdie, 17.529, earning $88.13; Shaa’tohi Henio on Trinity, 17.572; Jasmine Yazzie on Rango, 17.706; and Allison Ashurst on Willow with a time on 17.810. In 2-D competition, Jordan Little on Stella won with a time of 17.999, earning $117; Brooke Staker on Magic, 18.071, earning $78.34; Harper Carlson on Dandy, 18.192; Tyann Layton on Buckie, 18.201; Waci-Jo Cook on Coco, 18.404; Karsyn Yazzie on Flame, 18.690; Baylie Vickers on Robin, 18.809; Sunshine Bia on Peanut, 18.821; Payton Neff on Ivy, 18.903. In 3-D competition, Ellie Carlson on Bar-B won with a time of 19.032, earning $97; Peyton Tsosie on Montana, 19.035, earning $65.28; Tasheena John on Sweet Tea, 19.095; Waci-Jo Cook on Rocky, 19.187; Marquee Sells on Billy, 19.816; Sunshine Bia on Diesel, 19.896; and Karsyn Yazzie on Crackers, 19.901. In 4-D competition, Ophek Henn on All That Jazz won with a time of 20.114, earning $83; Mae Owens on Chino, 20.553, earning $55.49; Kennedy Yazzie on Rambo, 20.556; Peyton Moore on Digger, 21.107; Jordan Little on Cleo, 21.222; Anna Ortiz on Stormy, 21.295; Sunnie Foster on Betty, 21.412; Dakota Salazar on Flash, 21.585; and Mator Henn on Make It Rain, 21.893. In 5-D competition, Bradleigh Hanley on Boogie with a time of 21.969, earning $58; Peyton Moore on Eclipse, 22.024, earning $39; Maysa Yazzie on Crackers, 22.505; Shiloh Henio on Quincy, 23.450; Tinlee Willis on Oakley, 24.184; Adell Heisler on Kate, 24.185; Tayla Long on Cali, 25.188; Jared Yazzie on Jet, 25.955; Aca Willis on Joe, 26.142; Maysa Willis on Image, 27.085; Brittlee Solomon on Marida, 28.266; Brooklyn Willis on Joe, 28.398; Rydin Willis on Hollywood, 34.782; Cambree Thompson on Digger, 34.945; Kellen Stanley on Boone the Bunny Slayer, 40.195; and each of the following with no time Auliya Yazzie on Lilly, Harper Carlsonn on Jerk, Elizabeth Rodgers on Doc, and Paisley Solomon on Strawberry. Results for open follow. In 1-D competition, Cabrina Vickers for first and second place on Guys Special Effort with a time of 16.529, earning $284, and on Fames Lil Leader with a time of 16.800 earning $210; Summer Hatch on Callie, 16.806, earning $142; and Gracie Alcott on Corona, 16.901, earning $71. In 2-D competition, Sydney Plumb on Roman won with a time of 17.041, earning $255; Summer Hatch on Arson, 17.072, earning $191; Kadence Dorman on Clancy, 17.051, earning $127; Kayden Smith on Sweetie Gill, 17.082, earning $63; Traci Worker on MM, 17.139; Riley Reidhead on Striker, 17.170; Pandora Wyatt on Guy Like Perky Too “Glitch,” 17.219; Tashone Neztsosie on Sister, 17.245; Jayme Fish on Pineapple Tart “Camero,” 17.352; London Willis on Slick, 17.382; Amy Jo Perkins on Chevy, 17.451; Adoncia James on Ruby, 17.479; Corey Stirling on Mojo, 17.485; and Jenny Phelps on Cash, 17.526. In 3-D competition, Trystyn Heisler on Birdie won with a time of 17.529, earning $218; Carla Plumb on Garnet, 17.544, earning $163; Riley Reidhead on Rogue, 17.546, earning $109; Sheri Wood on Playboy, 17.585, earning $54; Megan Stock on Daygo, 17.596; Pandora Wyatt on Streakin Red French “Kirby,” 17.602; Sydney Plumb on Chile, 17.606; Pattie Coleman on Waimea, 17.629; Hailey Deaton on Tuff, 17.694; Melodie Albert on Gator, 17.698; Brinleigh Arredondo on Sissy, 17.700; Jasmine Yazzie on Rango, 17.706; Celeste Charley on King, 17.717; Derek Curley on Tres, 17.794; Deanna Smith on Jet, 17.798; Jaymie Rennert on Playboys Smokin Gun, 17.839; Melissa Neff on Hijack, 17.860; Danielle Winn on Dibs On A French Girl, 17.872; Cody Ross on Hoss, 17.897; Jordan Little on Stella, 17.999; Brenda Riddle on RW GrayGirl “Gigi,” of 18.002; Jennifer Roberds on Duke, 18.021; Tyann Layton on Buckie, 18.023; Patrice Yazzie on She-Ra, 18.065; Brook Staker on Magic, 18.071; Jenny Phelps on Stick, 18.089; Sylvia Kennison on Rebel, 18.121; Truvita Thompson on Jessie, 18.181; Cody Ross on Malibu, 18.197; Taylor Merrill on Bentley, 18.261; Mckenna Soloman on Bunny, 18.316; Jenny Phelps on Grey Mare, 18.323; Jayanna White on Rocky, 18.370; Ashley Judd on Stunt The Wranglers, 18.393; Sunshine Bia on Peanut, 18.397; Karsyn Yazzie on Flame, 18.415; Savannah Stanley on Jaylo, 18.478; and Kylie Webster on Midnight, 18.507. In 4-D competition, Robyn Kauffman on Lucifer won with a time of 18.574, earning $189; Faith Tsosie on Lily, 18.677, earning $142; Tasheena John on Sweet Tea, 18.746, earning $94; Derek Curley on Chip and Carla Plumb on Luke, each with a time of 18.750, earning $23; Lanaya Tsosie, 18.850; Shyann Stephens on Stitch, 18.862; Tashina Neztsosie on E.L., 19.171; Nizhoni McCray on Tater Guns, 19.276; Rachael Lacy on Du Be Cool, 19.603; Adoncia James on Pappy, 20.165; Veronica Spencer on Lemon, 20.531; Melissa Neff on Reeses, 21.087; Veronica Spencer on Jackson, 21.327; Dakota Salazar on Flash, 21.585; Audrey Foster on Uma, 21.835; Jennifer Roberds on KM The Toolman, 22.615; Brooke Thomas on Tanquery Della Kid “Della,” 23.919; Teah Vest on Dutch, 24.482; each of the following with no time; Emilee Ashurst on Frosty, Christina Gould on Bourbon, Gracie Alcott on Haydin, and Jayme Fish on Smart Lady In Red “
