By Jaime Hinton
Special to Ropers Sports News

Anyone who remembers the Spring Run Classic barrel race from last year remembers two things; mud and misery. It was these memories that kept the producers phone ringing off the hook for three weeks prior to the annual April event. Barrel racers from near and far asked about the weather, about covered pens and back up plans. However, Mother Nature was kind to us this year and the Spring Run Classic 2013 will be remembered as a sun filled, fast paced race that saw unbelievable runs, great checks, wiener dog races and family fun. 

Announcer Taylor Nahrgang started off the Friday night barrel race with Renee Ryckebosch from Reno, Nev. taking an early lead on her big yellow horse, Streakin’ Firewater with a 17.513 outrunning 196 contestants to win the first round of the Spring Run Classic. Day 2, and with 233 contestants in the draw, a little blonde Cottonwood, Calif. cowgirl set the place on fire with the fastest time of the day on a little sorrel horse that impressed and ignited everyone that watched them. Angie Hardin and her superstar Smarty’s Real Rock laid down a 17.147 and what ended up as the fastest time of the entire weekend. The duo came back on Sunday to post a 17.373, good enough for second place in the third round. Vacaville, Calif. cowgirl, Cynthia Williamson and Impressive Command smoked a 17.176 to win Sunday’s race and outran 204 contestants. College student Danielle McCants took the average, picking up a seventh place check Friday, second on Saturday and fourth on Sunday riding her awesome sorrel horse, Snappy Mate. 

With 633 runs across the arena and over $45,000 in payout, this year’s Spring Run Classic was a success! A full listing of results can be found at www.westcoastbarrelracing.com and for more information on Diamond Bar Arena or West Coast Barrel Racing contact (209) 538-7680. 

Results through 5th place are as follows (place, rider, horse, time and money won):

FRIDAY, APRIL 12

1D: 1st. Renee Ryckebosch, Streakin Firewater, 17.513, $648. 2nd. Vicky Benedetti, Chase, 17.526, $580. 3rd. Sheena Robbins, Shorty, 17.558, $477. 4th. Luena Harbert, Doc La Money, 17.561, $409. 5th. Jamie Gee, Smoky Nevada Jug, 17.588, $324.

2D: 1st. Breely Unruh, Fancy That Vision, 18.023, $593. 2nd. Lacey Lockard, Mighty Easy Fame, 18.027, $530. 3rd. Amanda Stallins, Tivios Custom Gage, 18.056, $437. 4th. Cynthia Williamson, Impressive Command, 18.063, $374. 5th. Bethany Unruh, Totally The Last Go, 18.066, $286.

3D: 1st. Sami Jo Morisli, Glo Miss N Buck, 18.516, $519. 2nd. Brie Norton, Diesel, 18.524, $464. 3rd. Mandy Trammell, Special Dancer, 18.55, $382. 4th. Amy Von Tour, Bully’s Dreamer, 18.548, $328. 5th. Jenae Morrison, Powder River Colonel, 18.551, $259.

4D: 1st. Karly Camozzi, Ricky Bobby, 19.515, $464. 2nd. Berta Richardson, Rubi, 19.531, $415. 3rd. David Lawson, Never Hit Seventeen, 19.533, $342. 4th. Shelly Pe-lowski, Colonel Catarey, 19.-541, $293. 5th. Caylee Graves, Tuff, 19.607, $232.

SATURDAY, APRIL 13

1D: 1st. Angie Hardin, Smartys Real Rock, 17.147, $981. 2nd. Danielle McCants, Snappy Mate, 17.279, $824. 3rd. Fallon Taylor, Flo, 17.348, $707. 4th. Jere Kleinpeter, Dashin Valentine, 17.350, $550. 5th. Cynthia Williamson, Impressive Command, 17.467, $393.

2D: 1st. Stacey Freitas, Mohican Sun, 17.661, $681. 2nd. Bailey Nahrgang, In The Sky Bar, 17.698, $609. 3rd. Kimberli Quinn, Bed Of Lillies, 17.700, $502. 4th. Cindy Smith, Hotty, 17.750, $430. 5th. Vicky Benedetti, Chase, 17.751, $340.

3D: 1st. Virgina McClintock, Nip It Now, 18.148, $594. 2nd. Reiney Hatch, Slinkys Rocket, 18.155, $531. 3rd. Jandee Smart, Flit By Fax, 18.176, $438. 4th. Heather Nemeth, Shagadelic Jaguar, 18.196, $375. 5th. Bethany Unruh, Totally The Last Go, 18.207, $297.

4D: 1st. Tiffany Ewald, Huggybare’s Joy, 19.154, $529. 2nd. Ashley Hofman, Teddy Dun Tucker, 19.156, $473. 3rd. Eryn Greenfield, Hopelessly Famous, 19.180, $390. 4th. Mariah Hageman, Sizzlin Sam, 19.182, $334. 5th. Cheyenne Adney, Bootscootndashin, 19.191, $264.

SUNDAY, APRIL 14

1D: 1st. Cynthia Williamson, Impressive Command, 17.176, $700. 2nd. Angie Hardin, Smartys Real Rock, 17.373, $630. 3rd. Megan Lewis, Smart Fame, 1731, $525. 4th. Danielle McCants, Snappy Mate, 17.545, $437. 5th. Laura Rodrigo, Rakin Rebel, 17.584, $350. 

2D: 1st. Candace Zappetini, Royal Demands, 17.695, $608. 2nd. Bailey Nahrgang, Shes A Brisco, 17.730, $544. 3rd. Shelley Holman, Smart Bert Bills, 17.750, $448. 4th. Ashley Smith, Triple The Dash, 17.753, $384. 5th. Kimberli Quinn, Horse 2, 17.763, $304. 

3D: 1st. Dana Luther, Cooper, 18.180 $532. 2nd. Hannah Steagall, Tinks Jazzy Reed, 18.182, $476. 3rd. Suzanne Koch, Genuine Lil Night, 18.216, $392. 4th. Aimee Sawyer, Rio, 18.235, $336. 5th. Jenae Morrison, Powder Rivere Colonel, 18.239, $266.

4D: 1st. Lacey Robinson, Mercy, 19.185, $475. 2nd. Judi Hammond, Invisible Winner, 19.208, $425. 3rd. Tina Herman, Sky Cash, 19.265, $350. 4th. Brian Ramirez, Holly, 19.266, $300. 5th. Katie Beard, Sin, 19.268, $237

Average results are as follows (place, rider, time and money won):

1D: 1st. Danielle McCants, Snappy Mate, 52.500, $345. 2nd. Cynthia Williamson, Impressive Command, 52.706, $285. 3rd. Kimberli Quinn, Bed Of Lillies, 53.176, $255. 4th. Kimberli Quinn, Horse 2, 53.589, $210. 5th. Lauren Pai, Badger Poco Scamp, 53.611, $165.

2D: 1st. Tiffany Hannan, Sanjo’s Milligan, 54.009, $317. 2nd. Breely Unruh, Fancy That Vision, 54.110, $262. 3rd. Kimberlee Boddy, King’s River Colonel, 54.276, $234. 4th. Danielle Sandy, Magic Remedy, 54.331, $193. 5th. Cheyene Hattsen, Let’s Play Rodeo, 54.378, $151.

3D: 1st. Aimee Barragan, Hot Prima Donna, 55.530, $278. 2nd. Michelle Sullivan, Dash Of Native, 55.541, $230. 3rd. David Lawson, Rosebuds Jet, 55.556, $206. 4th. Shelby Stansbury, Driftin On A Sugar Hi, 55.559, $169. 5th. Corene Baldwin, Tiny Red Pepper, 55.632, $133. 

4D: 1st. Pamela Scheer, Dori, 58.517, $249. 2nd. David Lawson, Never Hit Seventeen, 58.532, $206. 3rd. Bailey Nahrgang, Find A Pie, 58.849, $184. 4th. Tiffany Ewald, Huggybare’s Joy, 59,048. 5th. Jakklyn Jefferson, Poco Peps Modoc, 59.068, $119.

Open average winner Danielle McCants on "Snappy Mate." (Photo by Gene McFerran)

Fastest time of the weekend, first place on Saturday was Angie Hardin on "Smarty's Real Rock." (Photo by Gene McFerran)

By Tommy Martin

Special To Ropers Sports News

Barrels racers from all over the Western United States converged on Chowchilla on Saturday, March 23 to compete in the Dean Flenniken Memorial Barrel Race which was put on by the Chowchilla Western Stampede Committee.

Flenniken was a former Chowchilla school teacher and innovator in the barrel racing world who passed away in October 2012.

Kathy Branco, the event organizer, brought the idea of paying tribute to Flenniken to the Stampede Committee to produce the 2013 barrel race in Flenniken’s name to memorialize her contributions to the community of Chowchilla and to the sport of barrel racing. Branco said that “Dean did so much for barrel racing. She had a huge impact on it here in California.” She continued saying that “Flenniken brought barrel racing futurities to California.”

The barrel race came off without a hitch this year attracting 240 contestants, the largest Stampede barrel race ever. Women came from as far away as Nevada, Arizona, California and Oregon to compete for cash awards and prizes.

Among those contestants was Salem, Oregon’s Kristie Lee Cook. Cook was a top 24 finalist in season 10 of the television show “American Idol.” Cook shared her story of selling her top barrel horse to make enough money to travel to Philadelphia to audition for “American Idol” to a national audience during the show.

The barrel racers competed in four categories (4D). The winner of the 1D was Jandee Smart riding BCR Stella Bella. The 2D winner was Kylie DeWitt on Chips Triple Drift. The 3D winner was Laura Rodrigo on Rakin Rebel and the winner of the 4D was McKelvy Smart on BJs Dashing Honor.

Thank you to contributors to the barrel race — cash sponsors were: Alma’s Flea Market, Sandy Dias, Ed and Elaine Wells Rocha, Bob Feist, Gus and Stephanie Anderson, Will Gill & Sons Quarter Horses, and Chowchilla Western Stampede; award sponsors were: Christie Wood and Jade and Jeff Flenniken, champion buckle; 2T Leather, Tootie and Ted Hudson, breast collar and three bronc halters; Kendra Williams, buckle upgrade four buckles; Earl and Beverly Hall, gear bags; Hanson Silver, Tim and Kelleigh Hansen, silver headstalls; Tom and Amanda Martin, fancy longhorn halters and longhorn clocks; Vicki Andrus and Holly Harris, The Rusty Crown, stylin ball caps and bracelets; Ropers Sports News, gift subscriptions; Vetericyn, Gina Graham, four Vetericyn gift bags; Branco Ranch Furniture, Steve and Kathy Branco, trophy buckle boxes; and Chowchilla Western Stampede, 2D and 3D and 4D buckles. Equipment sponsors were: N&S Tractor, Alisha Nelson, use of tractor; Diamond Bar Arena, Shane and Kim Parson, use of arena drag; and Shawn and Miranda Dill, arena equipment.

A special thank you to the office help who donated their time: Jaime Hinton, Joye Glassett and Cindy George.

Results are as follows; payoffs are rounded down to the nearest dollar amount.

1D: 1st. Jandee Smart, BCR Stella Bella, 16.632, $1,100. 2nd. Allie Hamner, Badger Nic, 16.847, $924. 3rd. Jaime Hinton, Julie, 16.926, $792. 4th. Angie Hardin, Cajun, 17.020, $616. 5th. Katie McCaslan, Chopper, 17.084, $440. 6th. Pam Wilken, San Tessa, 17.093, $308. 7th. Mary Jo Camera, Fairlea Lucky Gun, 17.095, $220.

2D: 1st. Kylie Dewitt, Chips Triple Drift, 17.139, $761. 2nd. Gia DeSimoni, Commander, 17.146, $672. 3rd. Tracy Ash, Twisted Sister, 17.170, $550. 4th. Lacey Lockard, Mighty Easy Fame, 17.241, $425. 5th. Mandy Trammell, BW Special Dancer, 17.44, $328. 6th. Shannon Shade, Sixty Saity, 17.263, $255. 7th. Katie McCaslan, Oso Famous, 17.268, $214. 8th. Kelsey Hayden, Fish, 17.312, $186. 9th. Bailey Nahrgang, Shes A Brisco, 17.316, $170. 10th. Bailey Nahrgang, In The Sky Bar, 17.326, $145. 11th. Julie Martin, Hip Wrangler, 17.368, $129. 12th. Jaime Hinton, Rocky, 17.370, $109. 13th. Diana Giffin, Cherry Pie, 17.380, $101.

3D: 1st. Laura Rodrigo, Rakin Rebel, 17.636, $673. 2nd. Tasha Holmes, Vegas, 17.639, $594. 3rd. Cheyenne Hattesen, Let’s Play Rodeo, 17.661, $486. 4th. Lyndee Stairs, Fire Water Slidin, 17.672, $375. 5th. Stacey Bigelow, Can’t Pay The IRS, 17.701, $289. 6th. Rebecca Carter, Bold Candy, 17.706, $225. 7th. Shelby Stansbury, MP Driftin On A Sugar Hi, 17.721, $189. 8th. Gia DeSimoni, Jewel, 17.734, $164. 9th. Allie Tully, Paige, 17.735, $150. 10th. (tie) Kaitlyn Wiggin, MK Oak Frost, 17.756, $121 and Nancy Rico, Miss Scarlett, 17.756, $121. 12th. Aubree Karkula, Marthas Bullion, 17.788, $96. 13th. Nicoale Walters, Silk N Speed, 17.817, $89.

4D: 1st. McKelvy Smart, BJs Dashing Honor, 18.634, $606. 2nd. Kaitlyn Lane, Vern, 18.646, $535. 3rd. Sam Fossum, Kaitie, 18.656, $438. 4th. Kimberlee Boddy, Sweet Escape Lady, 18.692, $338. 5th. Sharra Deniz, With Perks, 18.702, $261. 6th. Kelleigh Hanson, Pistol, 18.708, $203. 7th. Stacy Neeley, HB, 18.709, $171. 8th. Bailey Nahrgang, Find A Pie, 18.712, $148. 9th. Kim Offner, Smokum Jet Reale, 18.718, $135. 10th. Kellie Romine, Smart Move Maker, 18.779, $116. 11th. Tiffany Nance, Junior, 18.826, $103. 12th. Stacey Bigelow, Jewel, 18.842, $87. 13th. Vivian Smith, Snappy Heart Beat, 18.843, $80.

Jandee Smart and BCR Stella Bella were the winners of the Dean Flenniken Memorial Barrel Race. (Shutterbug Photo) 

Congratulations Cheyanne Carpenter & Clayton Brum