FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Jennifer Kappler for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
MEDIA CONTACT: Jennifer Kappler of Phelps Media Group, Inc. International at (561) 753-3389 or at info@phelpsmediagroup.com
WEB SITE: Phelps Media Group, Inc. International Press Releases and Photos are available for download at https://www.phelpsmediagroup.com/
Photo Credit: Ileen Hannah, winner of the barrel racing at the Washington International Horse Show. Photo © 2006 Diana DeRosa. This photo may be used free of charge only in relation to this press release.
Barrel Racing Provides Fast Paced Action at The 2006 Washington International Horse Show
Washington, D.C. – October 26, 2006 –The top ladies of barrel racing came to the Washington International Horse Show to show hunter and jumper enthusiasts a very different and exciting sport.
Barrel racing is a timed event where the fastest time is what matters most, and cowgirls compete in the arena against each other and the clock. Three barrels are set up at different marked locations, and the riders enter the arena at full speed, quickly rounding each barrel and then exiting where they entered. A timer is used, which registers down to a hundredth of a second. For each barrel they knock over, a five second penalty is assessed to the total time.
This year, the barrel racing exhibition included ten talented women who raced around barrels at heart stopping speed. Some of the leading ladies from the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association, American Professional Rodeo Association, National Barrel Horse Association, and the J-W Ranch Barrel Series raced against one another, with the top four competing in an additional run against four show jumpers mounted on barrel racing horses on Friday evening.
The 2007 WIHS Barrel Racers were:
Ann Releigh Spring Grove, PA 2005 WIHS Champion
Carol Kerstetter Milton, PA 2004 WIHS Champion
Beth Borrowy Opperco, MD
Sandra Pomakala New Egypt, NJ
Lorraine Bytheway Glen Mills, PA
Katie Codd Westminster, MD
Kelsey Free Greencastle, PA
Ileen Hannah Oxford, PA
Lisa Barone Yorksprings, PA
Sammy Bazan
Chip Ridgley co-announced the Barrel Racing event with a humorous western flair. “The ladies will slide and glide around barrel number one,” he said. “They will turn and burn around barrel number two,” he laughed. “The third barrel is what we call the Money Barrel. You have to get yourself and your horse around the barrels in a cloverleaf pattern. You can hit or tip a barrel, but if it comes down they add five seconds to the time.”
The top four placing ladies will advance forward into the Barrel Racing event on Friday evening, where they pair with a Show Jumping rider in a team competition.
Results of the Barrel Racing
1. Ileen Hannah 14.806
2. Carol Kerstetter 15.157
3. Lisa Barone 15.207
4. Lorraine Bytheway 15.263
5. Ann Releigh 15.280
6. Katie Codd 15.548
7. Kelsey Free 15,912
8. Sammy Bazan 17.528
9. Beth Borrowy 20.150
10. Sandra Pomakala 20.919
The 2007 Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) serves as one of the country’s most prestigious and competitive indoor equestrian events, with prominent riders, Olympic veterans, and superstar equines competing for top honors and fabulous prize money. The WIHS, held October 24 – 29, 2006, is located at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C., home of the Washington International Horse Show since 2000.
There will be many exciting events to come, including the $100,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix, $25,000 Puissance, and Dressage Musical Freestyle. The Barrel racing action will continue on Friday, October 27, at 7:00 pm immediately after the terrier races.
Photo Credit: Ileen Hannah, winner of the barrel racing at the Washington International Horse Show. Photo © 2006 Diana DeRosa. This photo may be used free of charge only in relation to this press release.
