Barrel racing
The first ever Bonners Ferry Summer Barrel Series lasted eight long weeks with $800 total added to all the open races and payout of $2700 plus, in just cash, plus the 10 buckles and numerous other awards.
It came down to the very last race to determine who was going to take home the first place buckle in each division.
Home town cowgirl, Becky Calderone and her mare “Brandy”, squeaked into first in the 1D open standings at the second to last race.
Just a few points ahead of second place Cheyenne Brisson, Calderone knew she had to be fast and win the last race to continue her domination. And she did just that, making her unbeatable with 29 points in the 1D, 10 points ahead of Brisson.
Third place in the 1D standings went to Mikaela Timmins with 7 points and 4th was Julie Maguire with 4 points.
There were 16 awards to be given out. First place in each division was a trophy buckle made by G & G Buckles.
Second place award in the open was a custom made lamp engraved out of metal. Third place was a $50 gift certificate to South Fork Saddlery for a custom made wither strap and fourth place was a waterproof nylon horse sheet embroidered by Boundary Embroidery.
In the open 2D, it became a very tight race, as Jasmine Thill edged out Lenora Norton at the last race to move into the NO. 1 spot by only two points.
Thill had 14 points to take home a trophy buckle and Norton had 12 points to take home a trophy lamp. Third went to Kim Thompson with nine points and Julie Maguire, with seven points, took fourth.
The 3D saw another Troy, Mont., cowgirl win. Kim Thompson took the first place finish with 19 points, followed by a tie between Kailyn Hartt and Julie Maguire.
A draw of their names from the hat determined that Maguire had taken second place while Hartt took the third place award. Jasmine Thill rounded out the 3D with 10 points for fourth place.
The 4D had to have been the most dominated division. Amber Reimer from Heron, Mont., came to the last race with a sore horse. But after adding up points, there was no way anyone could beat her for the buckle. She decided to take it slow and try to maybe get into the money since the buckle was already hers!
Her 29 points towered over second place winner Kailyn Hartt’s 18 points. Third went to Naple’s Liz King with 15 points and Marcy Bloom took the fourth place finish with eight points.
The youth saw four familiar faces. In the 1D, Cheyenne Brisson took the first place buckle with 29 points. Second went to Bonners Ferry’s Te Ata Montgomery with 10 points and Jasmine Thill took the third place finish.
Trophy buckles where awarded to first place in each youth division, while second place received waterproof nylon horse sheets with custom Boundary Embroidering. Third place was a custom metal can purse.
In the youth 2D, Te Ata Montgomery took the buckle on her horse Leo, while Thill and Montgomery tied for two and third place.
Thill won the tie and took the second place award and Montgomery, on her horse Buck, took the third place award. In the 4D, Montgomery once again took home the buckle on her gelding Buck, while Leah Peycke from Naples took home the second place award and Jasmine Thill rounded out the third place.
There were only four seniors who competed at the series and each one took home an award.
At the last race Troy, Kim Thompson, scooted into first place in the 1D to take home her second buckle of the evening with 25 points followed closely by Julie Maguire with 23 points.
For the seniors, first place was a trophy buckle while second place was custom made trophy buckle boxes made by 3M Ranch and then custom metal was made by Fred at North Idaho Iron Works.
No one placed in the 2D throughout the race and therefore there was no placing in the 2D. However, two new barrel racers took over the 3D. Both Bonners Ferry riders, Laurie Lewis took her first buckle home with 24 points followed by Mike Montgomery for a second place finish with 17 points.
The Praying Monk Ranch, LLC. does plan to arrange some kind of racing next year, however they plan for it to be a different format. Without the help of many local business and the many volunteers that helped make this race run smoothly, it would have not been possible. PMR can not express enough appreciation to the sponsors: 3M Ranch, Napa, Bear Auto, 3 Mile Gas and Store, North Idaho Iron Works, General Feed and Grain, Carter Country, Far North Logo Shop, A & S Construction, Iron Mikes Gym, Wonder Horse Ranch, Edward Jones Investments, JB Tires and Automotives, Bonners Ferry Vet Clinic, Columbia Tractor Co. , Boundary Tractor Co., Boundary County Fair Board (for the new crow’s nest and supporting our series), Boundary Embroidery Services, Badger Print, Family Chiropractic, Filtration Plus, Inc., KG & T Septic and Farm Bureau Insurance. Next time you get a chance to stop in at one or more of these businesses, make sure to thank them.
Thank goodness for all the arena, gate, and barrel setters: Allen Dye, Jeff Thill, Jenna Magee, Mike Montgomery, Kim Thompson, Trey Haworth, Carly Haworth, Heidi Haworth, Julee Reeves, Sam Wells, Fran Miller and Axel, as well as Sandy and Roy at the fairgrounds for helping us with our confusion, frustrations and PA assistance.
For pictures or questions about the pictures contact Loren Orr who did a fabulous job producing great pictures. And thank you to the Herald Newspaper for letting us submit articles for the town to read.
Contact the Praying Monk Ranch, LLC. for comments, concerns or questions. 208-267-1738