PAGE 18 ROPERS SPORTS NEWS APRIL 2024 Chowchilla Stampede Barrel Race Pays Out Record $60,000 CHOWCHILLA, CALIF. – The 67th Chowchilla Western Stampede Barrel Race March 9-10th went off without a hitch. After four years of hell, the week of the Stampede found 2020 suffering through COVID, in 2021 the fairgrounds were still closed due to COVID, in 2022 there was the EVH1 outbreak the week of the Stampede and many barns being quarantined. In 2023 an atmospheric river hit the day before the Stampede. 2024 was finally our year and we were blessed with fantastic weather and a huge flawless race! The Stampede had its personal best year with 400 open entries on Saturday, March 9th. The one-day payout between the Open, Futurity, Derby, Jr., & Sr. was $48,729. There was an additional $30,000 Stallion Incentives payout with $15,000 Tomorrows Legends Incentive, $7,500 Select Stallions Incentive, $5,000 The Diamond Classic Incentive and the $2500 WPRA PESI Incentive. The Stampede Barrel Race was kicked off with a special opening honoring our two yearly memorial honorees. Dan Branco (Dan Branco Memorial Open) was one of the original founders of the Chowchilla Stampede and Dean Flenniken (Dean Flenniken Memorial Futurity & Derby). Dean was the first woman in California to produce barrel futurities. Also honored in our opening was our 2024 Grand Marshall, Sonny Gomes. Sonny was also one of the original Chowchilla Stampede committee men in 1958. The Dan Branco Memorial Open 4D Barrel Race entries competed for $11,000 added purse and was won by Shelley Holman of Brentwood, California. Shelley was aboard her trusty steed, Wood B Fun running a smokin’ 17.382. The awesome duo won $1,904, a Stampede buckle and an electric scooter donated by the Zanoli Kids. The 2D Champion was Brittany Richards on Mr Wilson, winning $1,713, a Stampede buckle and an electric scooter donated by the Zanoli Kids. The 3D Champion was Charleen Ornellas on Justa Kitten Around 33, winning $1,460, a Stampede buckle and an electric scooter donated by the Zanoli Kids. The 4D Champion was Jacey Tweedy on Miss Ruby Bridges winning $1,269, a Stampede buckle and an electric scooter donated by the Zanoli Kids. The Dean Flenniken Memorial Futurity saw 54 entries competing for a $3,000 added purse with a 100% payback and was won by Mary Jo Camera aboard Got Ghosted, running a 17.751 winning $1,663, a Stampede buckle and a bag of Symphony Feed. The 2D Futurity Champion was Kate McKemy aboard Mk Famous Dark Angel running a 18.821, winning $1,190 a Stampede buckle and a bag of Symphony Feed. The Dean Flenniken Memorial Derby had 58 entries and $1,000 added and was won by Jennifer Renner aboard The Rose On Fire running a 17.630 winning $958, a Stampede buckle and a bag of Symphony Feed. The 2D Derby Champion was Allie Howard aboard Im Smooth Like That running a 18.645 winning $639, a Stampede buckle and a bag of Symphony Feed. Sunday following the main Stampede race, the commitee produced a $1,500 added open race. The race turned out 200 entries and was won by Paloma Alvarado aboard Exclusively Dry winning $689 while running a time of 17.327. Paloma was also our two day average winner winning a Stampede buckle, a Jackie Baxton custom snaffle with turquoise and the Teri Deutsch Memorial travel safety bag. Paloma ran a 17.557 and 17.327 to cinch the two day Stampede average. The Stampede total two day payout was $60,606. Our sponsors are a huge part of the Stampede and we cannot thank them enough. Generous Ray Barragan Jr. with Golden Memorial Insurance and Rockin JR Ranch was our $5,000 sponsor. Outback Contractors Inc., Nathan and Mattie Bunting $1,000 sponsor. Chowchilla Stampede also sponsored $5,000 for a total of $11,000 added cash to the open race. Our other generous sponsors are: The Zanoli Kids In memory of Jim and Betty Zanoli, Jackie Baxton, Kimberley Naffzinger & DeWayne Brawley, N & S Tractor, Symphony Feed and Tami Kelley, Stacy and Todd Hampton, Mountain Air Seamless Gutters, Gumb Family, Jade and Jeff Flenniken, Ken and Linda Wood, The Law Office of Sherri Kastilan, Anthony Curry & Mary Pittman, Double R Performance Horses Melinda Ray, Team MJ Mary Jo Camera, Angels Heavy Hauls, Mary Jo Camera won the Futurity riding Got Ghosted. – Deb Mann Photo Paloma Alverado won the Sunday Open Race as well as the two run average, riding Exclusively Dry. – Deb Mann Photo The Dean Flenniken Derby winner was Jennifer Renner aboard The Rose On Fire. – Deb Mann Photo Shelley Holman won the Dan Branco Open 4D Barrel Race riding Wood B Fun. – Deb Mann Photo Shelley Holman took home a buckle, electric scooter and $1,904 in cash by winning the Dan Branco Memorial Barrel Race riding Wood B Fun. Producer Kathy Branco makes the presentation. – Deb Mann Photo Zachers Automotive Recycler Inc., Running F Quarter Horses Janel Flook, C-N Quarter Horses, The Orchard Bar and Grill, Branco Ranch Furniture and The Chowchilla Stampede Committee. The Chowchilla Stampede would also like to thank “The A Team Crew” who is second to none and ran a flawless race. Head secretary, Sheanna DeForest; announcer, Steve Smart; office staff Patti Silva, Teri Silva and Sheila Ragsdale; tractor drivers Steve ”Poo” Branco and Logan Naillon; stall and RV manager Jodi Branco and Syd Thurman; videographer and jumbotron, JF Video and Jeff and Stacey Freitas; photographer, Deb Mann; and barrel setters, the Chowchilla High Football Team. The 67th historic Chowchilla Western Stampede is in the books and will be one to remember as our largest to date with a total of 600 runs and $60,606 payout.
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