By Mary Grace Schmid
Paint Horses and their riders proved to be fast and furious as they sharply turned around barrels during the 2019 APHA World Championship Show’s RAM Paint Barrel Racing Incentive Program’s Sweepstakes. The events were split between the 4D PBRIP Sweepstakes and the 4D PBRIP 4- & 5-Year-Old Futurity Jackpot with a purse of more than $10,000 up for grabs.
PBRIP Barrel Racing Sweepstakes—Total Purse: $9,340*
After a rough first run at the World Show in Senior Barrel Racing, Dr. Jill Beaty and Extreme Chico’s partnership shone through in the PBRIP Open & Solid Paint-Bred Sweepstakes. Smooth turns and quick transitions resulted in a clean run with a time of 16.690 and the 1D PBRIP Sweepstakes title, along with a paycheck of $1,634.50*. Raised by her parents and trained by Jill, “Chico” is by Rare Jet Extremes (QH) and out of Arkansas Diamond. Her parents also owned Chico’s sire, making the 2005 sorrel tobiano gelding a special part of Jill’s family.
“I actually sold him six years ago and I just got him back this January,” Jill said. “His previous owners had sent him to me to leg him up and then sell him because he had been sitting out in the pasture for two years. I rode him for two weeks and ended up calling his owners saying that I’d buy him back. I have always loved him, and it’s awesome that he’s mine again. He’s staying with me.”
Jill and Chico started working right away to get back in shape so they could race over the summer. As both a human and animal chiropractor, Jill was able to ensure that the 14-year-old gelding was feeling and performing his best. Running in a new arena at the World Show led to some early sticking points, and Jill says their first class did not go as planned.
“I was disappointed with our run on Friday—he struggled a little and we were bottom of the ground,” the Elgin, Oklahoma, horsewoman said. “But he handled it a lot better today and I feel like I also rode him better today as well. So I was very pleased and super excited to win the sweepstakes. It was my goal coming into this show, so I’m thrilled.”
The team’s ability to effectively maneuver the cloverleaf put them at the top of a 30-entry class, which is a testament to Jill and Chico’s perseverance and character.
“He is so willing and wants to please,” Jill said. “He’s just a good boy and he’s fun to ride and show.”
2D Champion—Mary Yeates & Itsa Biankus Treasure with a time of 17.222, earning $1,401*
3D Champion—Danielle Witcosky & The Country Express with a time of 17.737, earning $934*
4D Champion—David Headley & WP Ole Miss with a time of 21.021, earning $700.50*
PBRIP 4- & 5-Year-Old Futurity Jackpot—Total Purse: $750*
Young Paints displayed their natural talent in the futurity jackpot, which saw RKM Gamble On Fame and Lisa Ogden of Gail, Texas, clocking a 17.001 to take the 1D championship and a $450* check. The team also placed sixth in the sweepstakes. A 2014 bay solid gelding by Swisslestick and out of Fame To Claim (QH), “Kenny” ran like an seasoned barrel horse, despite being only 5 years old.
“We bought ‘Kenny’ as a yearling from the Ruidoso New Mexico-Bred Sale,” Lisa said. “At that time, he only had Quarter Horse papers but I did some research and found out that his dad, Swisslestick, had Paint papers also. So I contacted his sire’s owner and I was able to get his Paint papers.”
Lisa has been coming to the World Show on and off for a couple of years, but decided to come to this year’s show with her niece when she noticed the futurity in the class lineup. Even with Kenny being somewhat young and inexperienced, Lisa decided to go for the opportunity to win some money.
“When I saw that the futurity was added, I just thought it was great,” Lisa said. “Kenny is a 5-year-old, so the futurity gave him another opportunity to earn some more money. He hasn’t had very many runs, though, but he did absolutely great. He handled everything really well. Considering he is so green, I was 100 percent happy with his performance. I was really pleased.”
David Headley of Port Gibson, Mississippi, earned the 2D futurity championship title and a $300 check aboard WP Ole Miss, a 2014 sorrel solid mare gelding by Country Quick Dash and out of WP Fame Takes Effort (QH).
APHA’s RAM Paint Barrel Racing Incentive Program, also known as PBRIP, is a special program designed especially for Paint Horse barrel racers. To learn more about the program, visit apha.com/pbrip/about-pbrip/.
*Payouts & Purses are unofficial