TORRINGTON – They come from all walks of life. They’re ranchers, teachers, cosmetologists and more.
And they share one thing in common – a love of competition and running barrels. They fulfilled that need over the weekend during a 4D Barrel Race event, sponsored by Barrel Blast Productions out of Mitchell, Neb.
The regular events are part of the Mile Hi Barrel Horse Association circuit, based in Arvada, Colo., said Debbie Beede, Barrel Blast Productions coordinator. Mile Hi is the coordinating association for amateur barrel racers, both men and women, around
the region.
Riders this past weekend came from Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota, Arizona and Wyoming to compete, some 62 contestants total on Saturday. The events are a fun way for horse enthusiasts to gather for a little friendly competition.
“We have a lot of college students this weekend,” Ms. Beede said. “College rodeos are starting soon. We get everybody.”
Baillie Mutchler, an Eastern Wyoming College student from South Dakota, is one of those college rodeo riders who came out Saturday. She’s been riding since she was a child and said she competes in part for the adrenaline and part just because it’s fun.
Paige Stovall of Torrington, a cosmetologist working in Scottsbluff during the week, agreed. Ms. Stovall hails from a rodeo family and “just got into it.
“It’s a blast,” Ms. Stovall said “You never know what’s going to happen.
“I can get on my horse and forget about everything else,” she said. “It’s definitely the life to live.”
For Ashley Edwards, riding her horse Addie and racing barrels is how she decompresses from the stress of her job as a special education teacher at Torrington Middle School. She’s ridden horses most of her life, she said, enjoying the time alone, just a woman and her horse.
“It’s just fun,” Ms. Edwards said. “It’s a good way to spend a weekend
in Torrington.”
Annie Campbell also grew up around horses, riding and working cattle around her family’s ranch near Prairie Center. She started competing in pro-rodeo events after she met and married her husband, Joe, a retired PRCA calf and team roper. She still attends some major-league rodeos.
“He rodeoed,” Ms. Campbell said. “I decided if he was going, I wanted to
go, too.
Her horse, River, is new to barrels, she said. Her regular barrel horse, a mare, was injured and is now carrying a foal, so Ms. Campbell is training River as a backup mount.
“It’s exciting,” she said. “I hope he’ll make a good rodeo horse.”
Barrel Blast Productions will be returning to the fairgrounds in Torrington with additional barrel racing events, the weekends of April 8-9 and May 13-14. For more information on the events, contact Ms. Beede at (308) 631-1153 or at barrelblastproductions@gmail.com.
