Williams Lake’s Rikki Laviolette, on Dee, battles through some tough, muddy conditions at the Williams Lake Stampede Grounds Sunday during the Stampede Warm-Up barrel racing event. Saturday Laviolette finished first in the Junior 2D event, finishing in 18.031 seconds.

Williams Lake’s Rikki Laviolette, on Dee, battles through some tough, muddy conditions at the Williams Lake Stampede Grounds Sunday during the Stampede Warm-Up barrel racing event. Saturday Laviolette finished first in the Junior 2D event, finishing in 18.031 seconds.

$17,500 paid out during Stampede Warm-Up

More than 160 barrel racers piled into the Williams Lake Stampede Grounds on the weekend for the Stampede Warm-Up barrel racing event.

More than 160 barrel racers piled into the Williams Lake Stampede Grounds on the weekend for the Stampede Warm-Up barrel racing event.

Despite a delay to the start of the competition Saturday due to the severe thunderstorm races began at 1:30 p.m. Saturday and continued in the muddy, but safe, ground.

The event was hosted by Eagle View Equestrian Centre.

EVEC manager Lori Rankin said the event was a huge success.

“In total more than $17,500 was paid out in cash and draw prizes,” Rankin said. “We hope to make this an annual event in the lakecity.”

Riders participated from around the province travelling from Vanderhoof, Quesnel, Terrace, Kelowna, Prince George, Kamloops, Clinton and Chilliwack, joining a strong contingent of local barrel racers.

Results for Saturday are as follows:

• Peewee 1D First — Riley Beier (Vanderhoof); 2D First — Kira Stowell (Quesnel); 3D First — Tatum Long (Terrace); 4D First — Taylor Fitchett (Okanagan).

• Open 1D First — Taylor Cherry, 17.157 (Quesnel); 2D First — Lori Rankin, 17.757 (Williams Lake); 3D First — Charla Nikkels, 18.171 (Kelowna); 4D First — Chelsea Wallach 19.177 (Prince George).

• Junior 1D First — Taylor Cherry, 17.157 (Quesnel); 2D First — Rikki Laviolette, 18.031 (Williams Lake); 3D First — Sofeya Smith, 18.452 (Kamloops); 4D First — Bacardi Zimmerlee, 19.259 (Clinton).

• Senior 1D First — Linda Geensen, 17.548 (Williams Lake); 2D First Kim Feist, 18.273 (Kelowna); 3D First — Jodi Ambler, 18.697 (Clinton); 4D First — Erin Cyrankiewicz, 19.562 (Chilliwack).

Futurity winner on Saturday was Eyesa Hula Lady ridden by Carmen Pozzobon and derby winner was Time To Be Tipsy, also ridden by Pozzobon.

Results for Sunday are as follows:

• Peewee 1D First — Riley Beier (Vanderhoof); 2D First — Kira Stowell (Quesnel); 4D First — Hannah Fitchett (Okanagan).

• Open 1D First — Carmen Pozzobon, 17.182 (Kamloops); 2D First — Linda Geensen, 17.706 (Williams Lake); 3D First — Gaileen Babcock, 18.215 (Fort St. John); 4D First — Lila Hugstadt, 19.190 (Houston).

• Junior 1D First — Taylor Cherry, 17.418 (Quesnel); 2D First — Sofeya Smith, 17.993 (Kamloops); 3D First — Mychaela Ketlo, 18.716; 4D First — Sarah Twerdochlid, 19.218.

• Senior 1D First — Judy Hyde, 17.470 (Prince George); 3D First — Jodi Ambler, 18.657 (Clinton); 4D First Nora Wallach, 20.125 (Prince George).

Futurity on Sunday was won by Chip, ridden by Renee Willis with a 17.807, and the Derby was won again by Time To Be Tipsy, ridden by Pozzobon with a fast 17.182.

Williams Lake Tribune