The WRANGLER Horse and Rodeo News is an equine and rodeo publication with circulation in Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota, Utah and Idaho.
Issue link: http://thewrangler.uberflip.com/i/505491
LOVELAND, Colo., — The snow storms that hit Wyoming and Colorado the third weekend of April threatened to ruin the success of the 4 th Annual Gene Ellis Memorial Barrel Race held in Loveland, CO. Carol Crowder, the Mile Hi Barrel Horse crew and the loyal barrel racers determined to honor Gene Ellis weren't about to let that happen. It may have been cold and nasty outside, but over 346 competitors inside were ready to turn up the heat aiming to take home a check from the huge two-day one race payout. Over $23,000 in cash and prizes were awarded at the end of the weekend! Gene Ellis was the man that every barrel racer attending a Mile Hi barrel race could count on. Gene and his wife, Carol Ellis, a long time Mile Hi member ran the Lazy Heart E Tack Shop and helped countless numbers of barrel racers improve and succeed in our beloved sport. After his passing in August of 2011, Carol Crowder knew something had to be done to keep Gene's memory alive for all past, present and future barrel racers. Four years later the Gene Ellis Memorial has become one of the most highly anticipated and favored races in our region, and one that the Mile Hi Barrel Horse Association is extremely proud to produce. The 2015 Gene Ellis Memorial Champion was none other than Carol Crowder herself. The Open 5D was run over the course of two days and contestants could enter each day, therefore giving them two chances at check from the one payout. Leading the race until late Sunday was Lynette Pritchard with a 17.184. Crowder ran her newest mount Milos Hickory, lovingly known around the barn as "Millie". They made a near flawless run to take the lead with a 17.030 and took home $910 for their efforts. Crowder was quick to point out that Cathi hadley, "Millie" Carol Crowder and Yvonne Crowder Photo by Curtis and Laura Rethwisch her sister, Cathi Hadley, did all the training and seasoning on Millie and that she just handed the reins over to Crowder last year. "Barrel racing has always been a family sport for us, and we consider Mile Hi members apart of our family as well. To win this race on a horse my sister trained with my sister, mom, daughter and grandchildren all here helping means the world to me" mentions Crowder. Wendy Chambers took home the 2D championship and $758 aboard Maci followed by 3D Champion Brenda McMahan on San Bertalena, 4D Champion Rhianna Berris on Lone Sizzler and 5D Champion Stacy Dysart on Look N Sassy. One thing is for sure – the 5 th Annual Gene Ellis Memorial Race will be one on everyone's calendar! OPeN 5d ReSUltS - lOVelaNd, CO SatURday/SUNday aPRil 18-19, 2015 Open 1D Carol Crowder ................. 17.030 .... $ 910.00 Buckle Lynette Pritchard ............. 17.184 .... $ 780.00 Fly Set Carol Crowder ................. 17.220 .... $ 650.00 Fly Set Kelly Koeppen ................. 17.293 .... $ 520.00 Fly Set Amanda McMillan .......... 17.361 .... $ 390.00 Fly Set Open 2D Wendy Chambers ............ 17.541 .... $ 758.00 Buckle Randi Timmons ............... 17.556 .... $ 650.00 Fly Set Angie Hoss ....................... 17.567 .... $ 542.00 Fly Set Kara Robbins .................... 17.600 .... $ 433.00 Fly Set Brenda McMahan ............ 17.616 .... $ 325.00 Fly Set Open 3D Brenda McMahan ............ 18.031 .... $ 607.00 Buckle Andie Kay Cunningham 18.032 .... $ 520.00 Fly Set Heather McCall ............... 18.052 .... $ 433.00 Fly Set Darla Kennepohl ............. 18.053 .... $ 346.00 Fly Set Kelcey Haas ...................... 18.064 .... $ 260.00 Fly Set Crowder takes home top honors at Gene Ellis Memorial Open 4D Rhianna Berris ................. 18.537 ... $ 455.00 Buckle Janet Heaath ..................... 18.538 ... $ 390.00 Fly Set Peyton Stepenoff ............. 18.541 .... $ 292.00 Fly Set Natalie Zimmerman ....... 18.541 .... $ 292.00 Fly Set Ivy Conrado ..................... 18.543 ... $ 195.00 Fly Set Open 5D Stacy Dysart ..................... 19.030 ... $ 303.00 Buckle Myra Masters ................... 19.047 ... $ 260.00 Fly Set Cynthia Heitmann .......... 19.069 ... $ 216.00 Fly Set Peggy Pobar ..................... 19.100 .... $ 173.00 Fly Set Elaine Lowell ................... 19.116 .... $ 130.00 Fly Set NOViCe hORSe 4d aWaRdS 1D Baily Coombs ................... 17.457 .................... Halter Randi Timmons ............... 17.556 ................... Fly Set Kathy Gannon .................. 17.715 ................... Fly Set 2D Baily Coombs ................... 17.994 .................... Halter Melanie Luark .................. 18.010 ................... Fly Set Steve Hostetter ................. 18.054 ................... Fly Set 3D Stacey Hansen .................. 18.488 .................... Halter Cathi Hadley .................... 18.520 ................... Fly Set Carla Gefroh ..................... 18.589 ................... Fly Set 4D Mikala Drews ................... 19.009 .................... Halter Stacey Hansen .................. 19.034 ................... Fly Set Cynthia Heitmann .......... 19.069 ................... Fly Set yOUth aWaRdS ReSUltS 1D Andie Kay Cunningham 18.032 .................... Halter Rhianna Berris ................. 18.164 ............FLY MASK 2D Aleeyah Roberts .............. 18.545 .................... Halter Jordyn Geruso .................. 18.565 ............FLY MASK 3D Andie Kay Cunningham 19.340 .................... Halter Brianna Schmidt .............. 19.365 ............FLY MASK 4D Sabrina Borg ..................... 20.107 .................... Halter Kirsten Riley ..................... 20.164 ............FLY MASK BARRELS