By Kendra Blundell
Special To Ropers Sports News
The ACBRA set out to build an even better Finals than last year, and that’s exactly what they did! Held at the Monterey County Sherriff’s Posse Grounds in Salinas for the second year, members were ecstatic with the season-culminating Finals. The non-profit association added $37,500 IN CASH to their 157-person Finals, along with giving over $30,000 in year end and weekend awards and prizes. Notably, there were also saddles given to each category winner for the weekend (totaling five saddles) and a trailer raffled off amongst the runners.
The Posse Grounds lived up to its reputation, again. While it was over 100 degrees in the valley in August, the weather in Salinas was beautiful and temperate. There was plenty of parking, and the ground was spectacular. Over the three days of racing, many fast times were made by a variety of horses, due the consistency of the ground and how well it held up through the weekend.
Friday night was a Warm-Up race for the weekend, in which 103 runners participated. The Finals itself consisted of a round on Saturday, a round on Sunday, and an average. Contestants had six chances at a check, one in each round and the average in a straight race in the categories, and one in each round and the average in a 5D divisional race. With only a $200 entry fee, racers got an enormous value for their money. The races paid out almost $66,000 over those three days.
Saturday night, the Posse cooked a BBQ chicken dinner that was directly followed by an awards ceremony. Top 10 awards were given out in all five categories, along with first round checks and that exciting trailer drawing. Congratulations again to Sofie Deardorf for winning the trailer.
The ACBRA Board of Directors would like to sincerely thank all of our sponsors, including: JH Sanders Custom Trucks and Trailers, Get In-Line Chiropractic, Alma’s Flea Market, Kingdom Ranch Ministries, Monty and Kathy Petska, Don and Cheryl Gatz, Central Valley Feed & Supply, Joe Bairos Construction, Circle N Saddlery, Pam Ross Barrel Horses, Mariposa Event Center, Sas Spurilla Stylist, Tire & Wheel Center, Hilmar, Equine Body Basics, Grohl Ranch, UFCW 8 Golden State, Outlaw Saddlery, Broken Yoke Café, Silva Farms, MBH Quarter Horses, Danny and Joyce Williams, Pam Ross Barrel Horses, Target Pest Control, Unity Farms/Ashley Cates, Lori Mandrich, Paul Garza, Hansen’s Silver, Vetricyn/Gina Graham, Conlin’s Supply, Ashley Lombarde, Turlock Feed & Livestock Supply, Ross and Kari May, Finish Line Horse Products, and Ropers Sports News.
Congratulations again to all of our winners. Weekend category winners are as follows: Open: Mia Prichard on Lenas Lil Prize; Under 7500: Kathy Petska on Bet On This Lion; Under 3500: Erin Ricotti on HB Buckshot Bill; Under 1000: Natalie DeMario on Hejo De Juan Oh Lena; and Junior: Macee Nunes on Flash Fast Hawk. The weekend 5D average was also won by Mia Prichard on Lenas Lil Prize. More photos and year-end standings and results are posted on the website at ACBRAinfo.com.
Results are as follows (rider, horse, time, payoff):
Junior
Round 1: 1. Macee Nunes, Flash Fast Hawk, 17.610, $573. 2. Zane Smith, Bonnie, 18.093, $474. 3. Sandra Sirizzotti, Lil Royal Queen, 18.176, $375. 4. Beth Hitchcock, Always Jackie, 18.332, $277. 5. Jordyn Haile, Miss Holey Terror, 18.562, $178. 6. Makiley Loveless, Shorty, 18.584, $99.
Round 2: 1. Macee Nunes, Flash Fast Hawk, 17.820, $573. 2. Cash LeNeave, OBD Toot Sweet Too, 18.102, $474. 3. Sandra Sirizzotti, DSR Rachels Gottagun, 18.104, $375. 4. Deja Vue, Fridays Big Star, 18.163, $277. 5. Beth Hitchcock, Always Jackie, 18.183, $178. 6. Samantha Dewhurst, This Journeys A Gift, 18.202, $99.
Average: 1. Macee Nunes, Flash Fast Hawk, 35.430, $573. 2. Zane Smith, Bonnie, 36.334, $474. 3. Beth Hitchcock, Always Jackie, 36.515, $375. 4. Sandra Sirizzotti, Lil Royal Queen, 36.571, $277. 5. Deja Vue, Fridays Big Star, 36.820, $178. 6. Jordyn Haile, Miss Holey Terror, 37.070, $99.
Under 1,000
Round 1: 1. Jamie Pearson, California Drift, 17.864, $610. 2. Rylee Henry, Little Lano, 17.893, $530. 3. Natalie DeMario, Hejo De Juan Oh Lena, 18.002, $451. 4. Cheryl Gatz, Hank, 18.090, $371. 5. Fallon Avery, Fan C Starlight, 18.105, $292. 6. Shella Dewhurst, Blue Print, 18.199, $212. 7. Chelsea Hale, Hay Moon Over Tiger, 18.212, $133. 8. Janel Flook, JF Melitas Cash, 18.255, $53.
Round 2: 1. Natalie DeMario, Hejo De Juan Oh Lena, 17.813, $610. 2. Michelle Silva, Night Chex Nic, 17.880, $530. 3. Rylee Henry, Little Lano, 17.959, $451. 4. Jamie Pearson, California Drift, 18.137, $371. 5. Katrina Dugo, Ms Hollywood Delight, 18.149, $292. 6. Janel Flook, JF Melitas Cash, 18.235, $212. 7. Shella Dewhurst, Blue Print, 18.241, $133. 8. Jaycee Spence, Chex Out My Badge, 18.244, $53.
Average: 1. Natalie DeMario, Hejo De Juan Oh Lena, 35.815, $610. 2. Rylee Henry, Little Lano, 35.852, $530. 3. Jamie Pearson, California Drift, 36.001, $451. 4. Fallon Avery, Fan C Starlight, 36.402, $371. 5. Shella Dewhurst, Blue Print, 36.440, $292. 6. Janel Flook, JF Melitas Cash, 36.490, $212. 7. Donna Cohn, ZW Zane Bar Sage, 36.634, $133. 8. Rosie Saabye, DSR Playin It Smart, 36.696, $53.
Under 3500
Round 1: 1. Erin Ricotti, HB Buckshot Bill, 17.366, $575. 2. Denise Madsen, Charge It To Serrina, 17.566, $500. 3. Auline Harris, The Zebi Last Warrior, 17.857, $425. 4. Stacy Hampton, Ima Really Big Deal, 17.874, $350. 5. Jennifer Dyer, Shorty, 17.884, $275. 6. Sadie Fontes, Badgers Black Remedy, 18.020, $200. 7. Alandra Coronado, HTZ Smoke N Clay, 18.066, $125. 8. Gina Graham, CLS Famous Cowboy, 18.152, $50.
Round 2: 1. Erin Ricotti, HB Buckshot Bill, 17.390, $575. 2. Michelle Silva, Dalilah, 17.574, $500. 3. Erin Ricotti, HG Mamas Boy, 17.868, $425. 4. Denise Madsen, Charge It To Serrina, 17.890, $350. 5. Rena Elkins, Poppas Smart Pepinic, 17.893, $275. 6. Alandra Coronado, HTZ Smoke N Clay, 17.952, $200. 7. Kay Crook, TNT Miss High Brown, 18.004, $125. 8. Kennadi Muniozguren, Little San Peppy Boy, 18.049, $50.
Average: 1. Erin Ricotti, HB Buckshot Bill, 34.756, $575. 2. Denise Madsen, Charge It To Serrina, 35.456, $500. 3. Auline Harris, The Zebi Last Warrior, 35.986, $425. 4. Alandra Coronado, HTZ Smoke N Clay, 36.018, $350. 5. Erin Ricotti, HG Mamas Boy, 36.092, $275. 6. Jennifer Dyer, Shorty, 36.144, $200. 7. Kay Crook, TNT Miss High Brow, 36.317, $125. 8. Rena Elkins, Poppas Smart Pepinic, 36.319, $50.
Under 7500
Round 1: 1. Kathy Petska, Bet On This Lion, 17.305, $518. 2. Michelle Silva, Samson, 7.728, $450. 3. Adriana Correia, Miss Stictisity, 17.879, $383. 4. Allie Jordan, DT Bug, 17.932, $315. 5. Lauren McDevitt, Grannys Top Bug, 17.993, $248. 6. Pamela Novinsky, Skips Dash Of Ice, 18.063, $180. 7. Deeana Horner, JW Trapper Mike, 18.066, $113. 8. Allison Weaver, Tuckers Dynamite, 18.131, $45.
Average: 1. Kathy Petska, Bet On This Lion, 34.818, $518. 2. Michelle Silva, Samson, 35.313, $450. 3. Deeana Horner, JW Trapper Mike, 35.732, $383. 4. Adriana Correia, Miss Stictisity, 35.797, $315. 5. Allie Jordan, DT Bug, 35.855, $248. 6. Pamela Novinsky, Skips Dash Of Ice, 36.145, $180. 7. Rylee Henry, Sugars Miss Palleo, 36.367, $113. 8. Donna Cohn, Catzup, 36.520, $45.
5D Saturday
1D: 1. Mia Prichard, Lenas Lil Prize, 17.084, $727. 2. Kathy Petska, Bet On This Lion, 17.305, $601. 3. Tracy Ash, CC Little Sister, 17.363, $476. 4. Erin Ricotti, HB Buckshot Bill, 17.366, $351. 5. Katrina Dugo, KD Sambrita, 17.389, $226. 6. Lauryn Bairos, Sweet Dry Hickory, 17.462, $125.
2D: 1. Jessica McBain, Rumble Gun 17.597, $623. 2. Macee Nunes, Flash Fast Hawk, 17.610, $516. 3. Michelle Silva, Samson, 17.728, $408. 4 Cheyenne Horner, Chics Chex Please, 17.753, $301. 5. Auline Harris, The Zebi Last Warrior, 17.857, $193. 6. Jamie Pearson, California Drift, 17.864, $107.
3D: 1. Cheryl Gatz, Hank, 18.090, $519. 2. Zane Smith, Bonnie, 18.093, $430. 3. Fallon Avery, Fan C Starlight, 18.105, $340. 4. Laurie Riolo, Tangys Peppy Doc, 18.117, $251. 5. Allison Weaver, Tuckers Dynamite, 18.131, $161. 6. Gina Graham, CLS Famous Cowboy, 18.152, $90.
4D: 1. Makiley Loveless, Shorty, 18.584, $415. 2. Katrina Dugo, Ms Hollywood Delight, 18.590, $344. 3. Jaycee Spence, Chex Out My Badge, 18.600, $272. 4. Melissa Perry-Fleming, Fresnos Lil Pepper, 18.631, $200. 5. Rena Elkins, IkesFirstLadyBiankus, 18.645, $129. 6. Deja Vue, Fridays Big Star, 18.657, $72.
5D: 1. Sandra Sirizzotti, DSR Rachels Gottagun, 19.084, $311. 2. Makenzie Clark, Tiza Tucker Too, 19.165, $258. 3. Tina Bird, Miss Bailey, 19.187, $204. 4. Stephanie Brazil, Rolling Blaze, 19.223, $150. 5. Katrina Dugo, DL Famous Playgirl, 19.224, $97. 6. Kylie Miller, Miss Pocos Peppy Lepew, 19.273, $54.
5D Sunday
1D: 1. Erin Ricotti, HB Buckshot Bill, 17.390, $727. 2. Mia Prichard, Lenas Lil Prize, 17.459, $601. 3. Katrina Dugo, KD Sambrita, 17.467, $476. 4. Tracy Ash, CC Little Sister, 17.497, $351. 5. Kathy Petska, Bet On This Lion, 17.513, $226.
2D: 1. Denise Madsen, Charge It To Serrina, 17.890, $623. 2. Rena Elkins, Poppas Smart Pepinic, 17.893, $516. 3. Adriana Correia, Miss Stictisity, 17.918, $408. 4. Allie Jordan, DT Bug, 17.923, $301. 5. Cheyenne Horner, Chics Chex Please, 17.929, $193. 6. Cynthia Fancher, Lenas Sugar Gal, 17.934, $107.
3D: 1. Sandra Sirizzotti, Lil Royal Queen, 18.395, $519. 2. Rosie Saabye, DSR Playin It Smart, 18.415, $430. 3. Jennifer Haile, The Upset, 18.446, $340. 4. Lynette Deetz, A Haypatch Chick, 18.482, $251. 5. Jordyn Haile, Miss Holey Terror, 18.508, $161. 6. Sophie Deardorf, Please Pass Taffy, 18.525, $90.
4D: 1. Charleen Ornellas, DL Skip To Fame, 18.892, $415. 2. Megan Smith, JWB Chex China Doll, 18.897, $344. 3. Allie Jordan, Mighty, 18.910, $272. 4. Krystal Angel, Jewels Dun, 18.960, $200. 5. Amanda Gulley, JR Driftwood Dakota, 18.993, $129. 6. Kylie Miller, Miss Pocos Peppy Lepew, 19.038, $72.
5D: 1/2. Makenzie Clark, Tiza Tucker Too; Cynthia Sims, Rusty, 19.423, $285. 3. Teresa Hill, Thirsan Bars, 19.455, $204. 4. Carol Miller-Gonyer, Jess A Diamond, 9.502, $150. 5. Katrina Dugo, DL Famous Playgirl, 19.521, $97. 6. Stephanie Brazil, Rolling Blaze, 19.544, $54.
5D Average
1D: 1. Mia Prichard, Lenas Lil Prize, 34.543, $727. 2. Erin Ricotti, HB Buckshot Bill, 34.756, $601. 3. Kathy Petska, Bet On This Lion, 34.818, $476. 4. Katrina Dugo, KD Sambrita, 34.856, $351. 5. Tracy Ash, CC Little Sister, 34.860, $226. 6. Lauryn Bairos, Sweet Dry Hickory, 35.272, $125.
2D: 1. Cheyenne Horner, Chics Chex Please, 35.682, $623. 2. Deeana Horner, JW Trapper Mike, 35.732, $516. 3. Adriana Correia, Miss Stictisity, 35.797, $408. 4. Natalia DeMario, Hejo De Juan Oh Lena, 35.815, $301. 5. Rylee Henry, Little Lano, 35.852, $193. 6. Allie Jordan, DT Bug, 35.855, $107.
3D: 1. Makenzie Clark, Benitas Cocolena, 36.567, $519. 2. Sandra Sirizzoti, Lil Royal Queen, 36.571, $430. 3. Rebecca Schaal, Fan C Starlight, 36.589, $340. 4. Lenas Sugar Gal, 36.603, $251. 5. Corene Baldwin, Bold Kisses Skipper W, 36.614, $161. 6. Donna Cohn, ZW Zane Bar Sage, 36.634, $90.
4D: 1. Breanna Bailey, Smokem Dry, 37.582, $415. 2. Ashleigh Bertao, Dial Me Kirk, 37.597, $344. 3. Melissa Perry-Fleming, JSC Moto, 37.701, $272. 4. Tina Bird, Bold Kiss Classy Lady, 37.720, $200. 5. Mary Hodson, Starlet O Heira, 37.760, $129. 6. Charleen Ornellas, DL Skip To Fame, 37.789, $72.
5D: 1. Joyce Williams, Spudtacular King, 38.585, $311. 2. Makenzie Clark, Tiza Tucker Too, 38.588, $258. 3. Janette Sundstedt, Premium Desert Smoke, 38.655, $204. 4. Lettie Reich, Easy Cash Allegro, 38.708, $150. 5. Katrina Dugo, DL Famous Playgirl, 38.745, $97. 6. Stephanie Brazil, Rolling Blaze, 38.767, $54.
Friday Warm-Up
1D: 1. Emilee Hitchcock, I Wish I Were A Star, 17.353, $473. 2. Michelle Silva, Samson, 17.405, $400. 3. Mia Prichard, Lenas Lil Prize, 17.579, $327. 4. Kali Coleck, Astonishing Fuel, 17.757, $255.
2D: 1. Tracy Ash, CC Little Sister, 17.857, $369. 2. Macee Nunes, Flash Fast Hawk, 17.870, $305. 3. Michelle Silva, Night Chex Nic, 17.916, $242. 4. Lauren McDevitt, Grannys Top Bug, 18.044, $178. 5. Toni Borba, Rope, 18.053, $114. 6. Jennifer Dyer, Shorty, 18.057, $64.
3D: 1. Brianna Wright, JR Chickadee Tiger, 18.354, $290. 2. Sadie Fontes, Badgers Black Remedy, 18.394, $240. 3. Kennadi Muniozguren, Little San Peppy Boy, 18.412, $190. 4. Makiley Loveless, Slingshot, 18.434, $140. 5. Ande Parker, This Buds For You, 18.466, $90. 6. Michelle Silva, Canelo, 18.472, $50.
4D: 1. Kylie Miller, Miss Pocos Peppy Lepew, 19.381, $237. 2. Natalie DeMario, Hejo De Juan Oh Lena, 19.414, $196. 3. Savannah Chance, Woody, 19.447, $155. 4. Charlee Gray-Estevan, Tini Bit Crazi, 19.453, $114. 5. Amanda de Witte, Cash N Fuel, 19.498, $74. 6. Tina Barnett, Flits Flitterbug, 19.510, $41.
Kathy Petska, under 7500 winner, on Bet On This Lion. (photo by Fotochaser/Fernando Sam-Sin)
Under 3500 top five weekend winners. Saddle winner was Erin Ricotti on HB Buckshot Bill. (photo by Fotochaser/Fernando Sam-Sin)
Congratulations to Sophie Deardorf, winner of the 2017 trailer. Thank you to all the sponsors who made this possible again this year.