Barrel racers hold fund raiser for miners families

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The Castle Dale Arena played host to an amazing barrel race recently. One hundred fifty one barrel racers competed for a total purse of $4,136 in three different races. Barrel racers came from Utah , Wyoming and Colorado to earn money for the coalminers involved in the Crandall Canyon Collapse.
A silent auction was open to the public and held during the barrel race. There were four stallion breeds, two full size hand tied quilts, numerous baby quilts, hand made necklaces, home d�cor items, horse tack and other items all donated. All proceeds went to the miners.
T-shirts bearing the words Coal Miner’s Benefit Barrel Race were sold, traded and given out to benefit the cause.
This whole idea came about at the suggestion of a good friend of barrel producer Amy Adams. Amy mentioned to other barrel racers and barrel race producers that she was thinking of doing a benefit race and the help and donations started coming in.
Within 24 hours all the added money for the race had been donated. Barrel racers across Utah, Colorado, Idaho and Wyoming helped with the cause.
The Adams family passed out black and yellow ribbons in support of the miners at a recent race in Salina. The donations and warm wishes that came from the small gesture were overwhelming. Barrel racers were donating the checks that they won at the race as did many of the runners at the benefit on Saturday.
All money raised was donated to the coal miners benefit accounts. The producers Amy Adams and Shaunalee Hinkins along with all their family members would like to extend a huge appreciaton to all that helped make this an overwhelming success.
Races on the day of the benefit included a PeeWee race that included many of our local up and coming riders around the age of 8. Competitors received a gold medal for their efforts. Posting the fast times were Hadley Cloward and Hanna Nielsen both from Castle Dale.
The Open 4D race saw 73 competitors competing. Chablee Padgett from Coalville came to dominate, break, and set a new arena record. Winning the race with a 16.693 she shattered the existing arena record of 16.813 set at the Race for the Green in March. Second was Cindy Williams of Vernal. Places were paid to five with Barbara Merrill, Axtell, Destiny Crane, Salina, and McKet Young, Price rounding out the top five in the first division.
The second division was won with a 17.332 Gayla Schaefer from Fruita, Colo. took the first place win, second Angie McCourt, Price, Teigan Adams, Castle Dale, Shawnalee Hinkins, Ferron, and Amy Adams where the five taking home checks in the second division.
Lacey Shaheen coming from, Salina brought together the T-shirt drive and got everyone outfitted in the cool gray with black and yellow T-shirts. Lacey took the third division win for her efforts. Sheri Reel, Mapleton was second, Jolene Farnsworth, Roosevelt, third, fourth Cindy Shumway, Delta, and Linda Ivie, Duchesne, were the successful five in the third division.
Billie Farnsworth from Roosevelt piloted a horse owned by local Emery County owner Roanna Rich for the 4D championship. Anna Marie Vail donated two stallion breeds for the silent auction and picked up a check for second place. Anna Marie traveled here in the early morning hours from Erda. Kathy Price, Price, Shelly Anderson, Ogden, and HarLee Reynolds from Jensen rounded out those successful in picking up a win in the Open 4D.
The under 18 and over 40 years of age race saw Cindy Williams taking the 1D win with Barbara Merril and Sheri Reel right behind them.
Teigan Adams, 13 years old took the 2D win with mom Amy Adams and Ashtyn Hammer from Moab right behind her.
Jazmine Jones came from Tabiona to run a 17.912 for the third division win. Savahna Hall, new to Castle Dale and Kim Moosman of Price were second and third.
Anna Marie Vail repeated a 4D win with Kathy Price and Bailey Hammer, Moab, rounding out those successful at picking up checks.
Thirty four runners competed in the $1,000 novice. They were running horses that have not won over $1,000 in their lifetime of running barrels. Jolene Farnworth was a repeat winner with her 17.327 run. Brenda Douglas who donated a stallion breed for the silent auction came from McKinnon, Wyo. for the second place 1D win. Karidon Allred, Orangeville was right behind her.
Cindy Williams won the 2D on a different horse from the one she rode in the 18/40 and open for wins. Martha Kilcrease, Price was second, Mike Ybarra, Wales finished third in the 2D.
Elsie Hussey came from Eagle Mountain to be successful in the 3D with an 18.493. Young Hadley Cloward from Castle Dale was second, Anna Marie Vail again picked up a check for third.
The 4D saw Sheri Reel, first, Ashlie Beckstead, Fairview second, Angie McCourt on a new horse captured third.
The barrel racers and supporters where treated to a barbeque beef sandwich with chips and drink put together by Jeanine Hinkins and crew. Much appreciation to them. All proceeds again went to the miners.
Kendra Rhodes presented a very large check to the race producer from the Castleview Physician’s Society. It was included in the amount given to the miners fund.
The outpouring, warm wishes and concern shown before, during and after this race was overwhelming. Producer Amy Adams said she had never produced a race that came together so easily with some many contributing to its success. Conflicts with high school rodeo, the state fair and other races kept the numbers from being bigger but even the barrel racers that couldn’t attend did what they could to help.
The Utah Barrel Racing Association held a fund drive and pledged to match the amount donated at two of their races since most of them felt they couldn’t attend. Racing in the Rockies and Utah NBHA District 1 both made donations. Both are barrel race producers in Utah and Colorado. John Ewing Company and Professional Choice both sent products for the race and silent auction. There are so many more companies and individuals that they cannot be named but have been extended huge appreciation.
Look for more races to be held in the Castle Dale indoor arena. Joel Dorsch did a great job to make the arena a reality and this race great, safe ground is the key to any successful race.