Barrel racing starts today in Ardell Pavilion
Craig Stritzke rides Chiefly around a barrel. Stritzke is the 2007 WBRA Futurity Champion. Photo courtesy of Bill Lawless
Admission is free at weekend-long event
COLUMBIA BASIN - The 41st annual Washington Barrel Racing Association Futurity and Derby takes place in the Ardell Pavilion this weekend, beginning today.
The futurity race is for horses 5 years old and under, while the derby is for horses under 7 years of age.
Last year's champion, Craig Stritzke of Chewelah, and 2008 Sand Cup Futurity Champion Vauna Walker of Pingree, Idaho, will be among the competitors.
Other contestants from such locations as Corning, Calif., Gillette, Wyo., and Strathmore, Alberta, will compete in the standard clover lead barrel racing pattern, in hopes of capturing some of the prize money, trophy saddles and buckles awarded to winners.
Racing begins tonight at 6 p.m. with the first go-round of the futurity, derby, pole bending futurity and the popular "Never Won a Saddle" race.
The Saturday second go-around of the races concludes with awards presented to average winners. All other races start at 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free.
- Staff report