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Barrel Futurities
of America present the....
1998 World Championship Barrel Race Oklahoma City, OK December 7-13, 1998 |
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December 7, 1998: For most competitors, the tension of being a part of this barrel race has not even started. It is still early in the week and so much more is ahead. What will the weather be like? Which horses will scratch? Have you forgotten anything at home? Today check in begins for competitors at the World Championship Barrel Race in Oklahoma City, OK. Most horses have seen several other futurities this year already. But for some, this is the big one. Even though the OKC futurity doesn't pay the most money, it is a very prestigious race and winning here means more than money in the bank. Horses that have taken home the gold here have sold for ten's of thousand's of dollars and their riders have often gone on to train barrel horses for years to come. This is the Grand-daddy of races for the Barrel Futurities of America, an organization formed by barrel racers for barrel racers.
December 8, 1998- The first day of competition is now underway. Today 261 horses ran the first go of the Derby. Susan Clapp came out on top riding Creons Request. Complete times are online for the derby. A total of thirty-two horses paid their complete entry fee and then scratched from the competition. Some of those horses have been sold, others were injured and some just haven't turned out to be what the owners had hoped for in a champion barrel horse. The first go of the Sweepstakes is expected to go well into the morning hours. Weather in Oklahoma City, OK is in the upper 40's and the warm temperatures have made the long walks across the grounds easier for competitors and spectators. (See online pictures) The five barns are nearly full to capacity. As expected many of the same faces are in OKC as have been seen at futurities all year across the nation. By this time of the year most of the colts have passed the "make it or break it" stage of the game. It has been seven months since Old Fort Days and many of the colts we saw there have seen a lot of action around the barrel pattern preparing for this race. Some barrel horse trainers only pay their colts to this one futurity. Because of its date, this race falls toward the end of the season. Because futurity payments are so expensive, many people want to be sure their colts are winning before they race at this event. However, most of the horses that you will see place here this week will have already won a substantial amount of money at other events through out the year.
December 9, 1998- Another great day for barrel racing in Oklahoma City. The facility used to hold this event is outstanding. If the weather was to turn toward the worse most vendors are indoors and spectators have their choice of thousands of seats in the coliseum from which to view the first go of the 1998 futurity. Last night, the 1st go of the sweepstakes brought back flashes of a great barrel run many saw in Forth Smith, Arkansas. Sue Bologna rode Joe B Jammin to the pay window in the 1st go of the Sweepstakes winning over $1,646! Complete results are online. Sue will also be riding in the futurity. The Sweepstakes action kept many spectators in the stands late into the night. Tonight may be the same. The first go of the futurity started at 9am this morning. Rough calculations show that officials are pushing about 50 horses per hour through the gate. But, the futurity is not the only thing on peoples minds. Oklahoma City is a Cowgirl's shopping delight. Many a spectator was heard saying they were off to see what OKC had on sale. The only thing that dares to out number Western Stores is trailer dealers. Oklahoma City is home to some of the biggest horse trailer manufacturers in the world. Plus, it seems that there is a trailer dealer on every corner. If the concept of supply and demand really works, I bet you might find a great deal on a trailer in OKC. Barrelhorses.com Editor Andre' Dohrn is on the grounds with the Barrelhorses.com ACTION CAM, getting some great shots of the fun. The staff of Barrelhorses.com is making its first appearance at this event. Pat Hutter and Florence Youree played a big part in making our coverage of this event a huge success. Thanks to them and the BFA for supporting the internet. With so many web sites popping up on the net, it is the support of great barrel racing organizations like the BFA that puts Barrelhorses.com on top, as the nation's most visited barrel racing web site! Thank you to all who visit.
December 10, 1998- What a day of competition. Both the 2nd go of the Derby and the Sweepstakes were run today. Both of these goes gave spectators some of the finest barrel racing to watch. The Sweepstakes again, showed the top 3 competitors of the 1st go in the top 3 spots again. Brett Monroe took the top spot abord Nonstops Speed with a blazing 15.358-which has been the fastest time of this event! Kay Blandford was close behind on her great gelding, The Key Grip with a 15.386. Joe B Jammin was right behind Kay and Llave with a 15.417. Wow! What a race. Click here for the 2nd go times. The finals of the Sweepstakes will be run tomorrow night. Everyone is looking forward to the stiff competition! The Derby 2nd go was won by Kim Green aboard Charlie Clark’s Confederate Leader with a 15.437. Taking 2nd place in the Derby 2nd go was Packin Doubles ridden by Gayle Howes with a time of 15.552. Filling out the top 3 was Free Ettas Fortune ridden by Kay Blandford. This pair had a 15.579. The Juniors also ran their first, and qualifying round today. When the dust settled, Derek Hale and Dudes Compadre won the go and $696.00 with a 15.635. Many people took time to visit the broodmare sale that took place in barn 3. The also got to see some of the best barrel horses sires in the nation. On The Money Red, One Smooth Aggie, Freedom Flyer, Designer Red and these were just a few on the stallion alley. This was the first time many people were able to see these leading sires in person.
December 11, 1998- The second go of the 1998 BFA Futurity started at 8am giving many a second shot at making the finals. Even if a contestant knocked a barrel in the first go, they can make a smokin' run in the second go and kame it back to the finals. This fact alone makes the BFA Futurity very popular to barrel racers. Susan Clapp won the second go. See complete times. In the evening over a thousand barrel racers gathered in the arena to watch the BFA Sweepstakes finals. Plus, spectators got to witness the first ever Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Dale Youree. Dale, and his wife Florence are barrel racing veterans that have run the pattern for many years. Dale is credited with drawing a lot of attention to the male barrel racer in the barrel racing industry. (See picture.) He was the first winner of Old Fort Days and many other futurities over the years. He accepted the award, saddle and other gifts with tear filled eyes and a smile on his face. Ralph Goldman was also given a special gift for his years of service. Brett Monroe won the Sweepstakes riding Non Stop Speed. Kay Blandford riding her famous steed The Key Grip took second. See complete times now.
