VGBRA wraps up 2020-21 covid-altered season

Valley Girls Barrel Racing Association, 59 years strong and with 100+ members, got through the 2020 season in spite of covid restrictions. Barrel race producers put on their thinking caps to help barrel racing to circumnavigate covid while still following proper protocols such as having a nurse take temperatures and contestants fill out covid questionnaires so meets could be held.

For example, a pre-entry system was set up to allow contestants to register and pay without risk of exposing officials to infection and maintain social distancing.

The upshot of the covid effect is that the 2020 and 2021 seasons were combined, per VGBRA officers' and board's decision.

The 2020-21 Overall Champion is Jessica Lewis of Pendleton, Ore., with 109 points. Sue Ruzicka, Dixie, is the Reserve Overall Champion with 110.5 points.

The Open Division Champion was Sue Ruzicka with 110.5 points, with Dana Gregg of Touchet as Reserve Champion with 84 points. Other finishers: 3-Michelle Lyons, Touchet, 61; 4-Kelli Currin, Dayton, 58; 5-Karen Gleason, Touchet, 56; 6-Jackie Culham, Athena, Ore., 44; 7 (tie)-Nichole Kelly, Touchet, 39; 8 (tie)-Cindy Lane, Prescott, 39; 9-Jamie Thomas, Walla Walla, 33; 10 (tie)-Tamra Morris, Milton-Freewater, 30; 10 (tie)-Courtney Frazier, Touchet, 30.

The Honors Division Champion was Adelle Smith of Waitsburg with 141 points, and Reserve Champion was Kim Thompson of Walla Walla with 131 points. Other finishers: 3-Rosie Gallaher, Dayton, 111; 4-Tara Mahoney, Pendleton, 58; 5-Debbie Kentch, Touchet, 43; and 6-Heather Lin Campbell, Pendleton, 22.

The Senior Division Champion was Jessica Lewis of Pendleton with 109 points, and Shayla Currin of Dayton was Reserve Champion with 68 points. Other finishers: 3-Madison Worden, Walla Walla, 60; 4-Cody Kessler, Milton-Freewater, 59; 5-Lauryn Riney, Milton-Freewater, 50; and 6 (tie)-Alison Cranor of Walla Walla and Josilyn Fullerton of Dayton, 41 points.

Junior Division Champion was Payden Henry of Touchet with 123 points, with Makayah Lawyer, Walla Walla, as Reserve Champion with 90 points. Other finishers: 3-Ashley Lane, Prescott, 78; 4-Hannah Brannock, Walla Walla, 74; 5-Hadley Hiner, Walla Walla, 49; 6 (tie)-Peytyn Pratt, Touchet, and Parker Fischer, Touchet, 45 points.

In the Novice Horse, the horses depending on how much money they have won are only eligible for a one-year period so the awards were given for 2020 and 2021.

The Novice Division Champion 2020 was Julie Williams, Athena, and Frenchmans MD Frost with 31 points. Reserve Champion was Brenda Lennox, Touchet, and French Genuine Falcon with 29 points. Other finishers for 2020: 3-Jordan Dove, Pendleton, and Just A Guy With Cash, 27; 4-Karen Gleason, Touchet and Streak Ta Fling, 21; 5-Stacie Haney, Walla Walla, and SRL Fireball, 19; and 6-Michele Lyons, Touchet, and Frenchmanshangover.

The 2021 Novice Division Champion was Julie Williams, Athena, on Guyz Fame with 68 points, and Reserve Champion was Nichole Kelly, Touchet, on Froghollow Silk Lion. Other finishers: 3-Sue Ruzicka, Dixie, on Dats To Good ToB True, 49; 4-Courney Frazier, Touchet, on French Cash Biankus, 46; 5-Kim Smith, Touchet, on Guy of My Dreams, 45; and 6-Dana Gregg, Touchet, on Fabulous Chayenne, 42.

Amateur Division Champion was Kara Hubbs, Walla Walla, with 127 points, with Angela Adams, Prescott, Reserve Champion with 121 points. Other finishers: 3-Jordan Dove, Pendleton, 119; 4-Michelle Warren, Walla Walla, 92; 5-Lacey Russel, Walla Walla, 46; 6 (tie)-Julie Maney, Helix, and Jaimie Mayberry, Touchet, 21 points.

Silver buckles were presented to the Rookies of the Year: Lacey Russell, Walla Walla, in the Amateur Division, Madison Worden, Walla Walla, in the Senior Division and Parker Fischer, Touchet, in the Junior Division.