The Black Gold Barrel Racing held in Fairview, Alta., has its sights set on becoming the largest barrel racing event in Western Canada, and they’re on their way. This past August saw 353 horses, 280 competitors and over 1,200 runs at the Hawker Pavilion at the Fairview Campus. The event realized over $66,000 in payouts with an additional $31,000+ in prizes.
Competitors hauled in from such diverse points as Langley, B.C., Lloydminster, Sask., Medicine Hat, Alta., and the U.S., including the Million Dollar Cowgirl, barrel racing superstar Lisa Lockhart, whose credits include Calgary Stampede Champion, three times Canadian Champion, and seven times National Finals Rodeo qualifier who, so far, has won well over $1,000,000 in the sport. “You have a great thing going here,” she commented.
While a number of pro girls set the pace they definitely did not dominate the competition. The big money winner was Frankie Wilson of Groundbirch, B.C., who left with over $3,100, winning the Derby and the saddle. The Nitro Tech Futurity was won by Judy Veer of Vilna, Alta., the Nitro Tech Peewee saddle was won by Rikki Ruttan of Sexsmith, Alta., and the Youth saddle was won by Tate Rohloff of Sunset House, Alta.
Black Gold featured some great entertainment for a great cause with a men’s barrel race and Calcutta that featured twenty-six men competing on borrowed horses. They raised $4,800 for the Peace Area Riding for the Disabled, PARDS.