By Holly Andrus-Harris
Special To Ropers Sports News
SALINAS, CALIF. – On July 5, we celebrated one of the best “ground makers” in the Salinas Valley. The 3rd annual Harold Riva Memorial Barrel Race was held at the Salinas Sports Complex, home of the California Rodeo Salinas. This unique jackpot gives girls the opportunity to run their horses on the famous, one of a kind Salinas track two weeks prior to the California Rodeo Salinas.
This race was produced by Holly Andrus-Harris and sanctioned WCBRA, ACBRA, WPRA and WPRA JR. They paid out over $18,000 in the open; paying down to 15th place in each D with 267 riders entered. Five different side pots were offered along with the open; a youth, senior, futurity, derby and an exclusive WPRA Members Only California Circuit Divisional Tour side pot sponsored by Tarter Farm and Ranch Equipment. Holly and her team went above and beyond to make this race such a positive experience for every level of rider and horse.
Congratulations to Shelby Sullivan and Colonel Whisper Whiz for posting the winning time of 16.474 and winning a beautiful buckle and $973.
The ground was amazingly safe, fair and consistent for all 267 runs due to the “Tool” implement designed by the late Harold Riva. Holly’s hardworking dad Craig is a well-known farmer in the Salinas Valley who knows his “dirt” well. He and her husband Charles Harris were a fine team working the ground along with Frank Heffren who happens to be married to Harold Riva’s daughter Cheri Riva-Heffren.
When the girls weren’t chasing the traditional Coors barrels on the Track, you found everyone enjoying the Potluck Picnic Party in the Crown Royal Saloon. Holly’s mom Vicki made sure the Potluck Picnic and over 20 vendor booths ran smoothly and even ran back to the store to make sure the Potluck Picnic didn’t run out of food. A discount was offered towards the $65 entry fee if you brought something to the Potluck Picnic. A big thank you to Stacy Neeley who donated delicious tri-tip, Stacey and Jeff Freitas for donating the yummy sausage, Patti Silva and Kelly Perez who stayed all day, helping Vicki barbeque over 300 hot dogs. These fabulous supporters made sure the riders and their families enjoyed the free Potluck Picnic Party all day long.
The Harold Riva Memorial Barrel Race would not be possible without the extraordinary team put together by the producer. Jaime Hinton was the office boss along with her sidekick Shannon Shade and Michelle Sullivan. They announced, timed, and oversaw the entire race flawlessly. Shealynn Day, Sheanna Hoskins and Paty Raine collected the 267 entries until 2 p.m. on race day. The amazing barrel setters were spot on…moving barrels after every five for the tractor drags. This helps to keep the ground level and without their help, the safe and consistent ground would not have been possible. This is a job that is often overlooked on how important it is…so a huge thanks to Michelle Serna, Paul Bianchi and Devin Clinton.
The track at Salinas is very unusual due to the fact there is no arena to come into. You come right up the open track to begin your run. We have a “pretend” arena start; which was around the white panel on the left or the left light pole. This can make for a long day as it takes time for the runners to start their run… easing their horses up the track. Another team member was in place to help in this area of the race. A huge thank you to the Harold Riva’s dedicated daughter Cheri Riva-Heffren for being on her horse with a list, checking the next set of runners in and making sure that they were close and ready. This is NOT an easy job!
Finally, this entire day would not be possible without the sponsors! The riders got to run at $2,000 added money plus 100% of their entry fees (NO producer, arena, tractor, light, whatever fees were taken). Thank you to the following sponsors:
Arena sponsors: MY Chevrolet, Darrick and Tammy Hoskins; Bianchi Family, Paul and Nicole Bianchi.
Added money sponsors: Tarter Farm & Ranch Equipment – WPRA Side Pot Sponsor; Bianchi, Kasavan & Pope CPA, Robert Bianchi; Steinbeck Country Equine Clinic, Tim Eastman; Monterey County Petroleum, Sam Eastman; Brent Eastman Insurance Services, Brent Eastman; Acupuncture For Animals, Judy Martin DVM, CVA; Pamela Scheer; Serenity Equine & Rehabilitation, Shealynn Day and Danette Silva; O B Trucking LLC, Jennifer Burke; KG Equine LLC, Luena Harbert; Western Reflections Originals, Donna Riva.
Award sponsors: Frank and Cheri (Riva) Heffren; Cynthia Fancher, Realtor; A & S Metals; Quail Creek Ranch; The Rusty Crown, Vicki Andrus; Platinum Performance, Lindsey Stornetta; Richard field Levine Photography, Richard and Sandra Levine; Jeff Freitas Videos, Jeff and Stacy Freitas; Lame Away Products, Sis Buttrey; Vetericyn Products, Gina Graham; champagne bottles, Brittany Gamble; 101 Livestock Supply, Chris and Fallon Avery; FlowBoot.
Service sponsors: Craig Andrus Farms; Cal Coast and Chris Nielsen Tractor Sales; McKinsey family; Don Chapin and Benny Jefferson; RDO Equipent; and California Rodeo Salinas.
JULY 5
OPEN: 1D: 1. Shelby Sullivan, Colonel Whisper Whiz, 16.474, $973. 2. Katie McCaslan, Perk Mia Firewater, 16.547, $865. 3. Jamie Hinton, The Goob, 16.557, $703. 4/5. Lyndee Stairs, Two Links To Firewater, 16.570, $473. Cheri Graves, Shine, 16.570, $473. 6. Margurite Happy, Ima Top Pardner, 16.631, $324. 7. Sis Buttrey, Ima Top Pardner, 16.631, $324. 8. Linda Vick, Ar Will He Tell, 16.819, $243. 9. Tona Wright Andrade, Mega Famer, 16.832, $216. 10. Mary Jo Camera, Fairlea Lucky Gun, 16.837, $189. 11/12. Karlee Wesney, Leaving Promises, 16.843, $154. Charlene Jespersen, NF Freenchmans Brucey, 16.843, $154. 13. Stacey Freitas, Mohican Sun, 16.854, $135. 14. Stacy Hampton, Big Ticket, 16.861, $124. 15. Courtney Cline, Pix, 16.869, $108. 2D: 1/2. Gina Graham, AR Special Cash, 17.004, $827. Kali Coleck, Quadrant Cash, 17.004, $827. 3. Katrina Dugo, Sambrita, 17.010, $633. 4. Michelle Silva, Lilo, 17.020, $487. 5. Cathy Cagliari, Hope Shes Famous, 17.029, $365. 6. Kallen Shade, Reme, 17.035, $292. 7. Charleen Ornellas, Chargin All Fires, 17.037, $243. 8. Shannon Shade, Sixty Saity, 17.048, $219. 9. Lacey Lockard, Mighty Easy Fame, 17.098, $195. 10. Tina Denmark, Pick This One, 17.107, $170. 11. Janalee Johnson, Nu Jet Fuel, 17.108, $146. 12/13. Christi Roberts, Juliet,17.122, $127. Allie Hamner, Badger Nic, 17.122, $127. 14. Brittany Nielsen, Polly, 17.126, $112. 15. Taylor Prichard, Ace, 17.127, $97. 3D: 1. Kiley Amaral, Tiquo, 17.475, $746. 2. Carrie Kevie, Stairway To Jewels, $17.483, $663. 3. Cheyenne Hattesen, Let’s Play Rodeo, 17.489, $539. 4. Lacey Pursley, KM Truckin Style, 17.511, $414. 5. Christine Davi, Smartee, 17.530, $311. 6. Dreux Clark, TJO Six Pack of Fire, 17.535, $249. 7. Kathy Petska, Raymond, 17.540, $207. 8. Charleen Ornellas, JMP Cash Cow, 17.548, $187. 9/10. Mia Prichard, Jazzy, 17.569, $155. Jamey Wells, Smokin Lady Yello, 17.569, $155. 11. Sherry Morris, Riley, 17.575, $124. 12. Abigail Knecht, Niki, 17.581, $112. 13/14. Megan Brint, Bridle Bit Star, 17.588, $99. Erika Thompson, Datsafrenchmocha, 17.588, $99/ 15. Debbie Hicks, Big Caliber, 17.596, $83. 4D: 1. Megan Brint, Bambi, 18.475, $649. 2. Bailey Caron, Ranger, 18.477, $577. 3. Tammy Davis, RCL Rocky Hancock, 18.482, $469. 4. Sandy Wall, Color Me Famous, 18.518, $360. 5. Chasity Metzger, Genuine Jill, 18.525, $270. 6/7. Shelby Tuck, Strawflyin Firewater, 18.530, $198. Carly Twisselman, Paso Cat, 18.530, $198. 8. Tiffany Erwin, Andy, 18.620, $162. 9. Leah Herron, Miss Plain Vandy, 18.638, $144. 10. McKelvy Smart, Adams Hickory, 18.694, $126. 11. Lacey Lockard, Confederates Candy, 18.722, $108. 12. Haley Brown, Dillion, 18.743, $97. 13. Ande Parker, Bud, 18.801, $90. 14. Jennifer Burke, Bedazzling Cayucus, 18.805, $83. 15. Kristen Stephens, Find A Pie, 18.816, $72.
Futurity Sidepot: 1D: Lyndee Stairs, Two Links To Firewater, 16.570, $126. 2. Linda Vick, KN French Dot Fame, 16.962, $97. 3. Janalee Johnson, NU Jet Fuel, 17.108, $71. 2D: 1. Alexa Karkula, Call Me Tommy Tomboy, 17.633, $84. 2. Renee Dell, Callie Cashing In, 18.296, $65. 3. Denise Madsen, Astonishing Fuel, 18.381, $47.
Derby sidepot: 1D: Cheri Graves, Shine, 16.570, $135. 2. Sis Buttrey, Amos Is Famous, 16.719, $104. 3. Charleen Ornellas, Chargin All Fires, 17.037, $76. 2D: 1. Tammy Hoskins, Frostys Orphan Bear, 17.872, $90. 2. Cathy Cagliari, Curly Sue Fame, 18.122, $69. 3. Jessica McBain, Rumble Gun, 18.467, $50.
YOUTH: 1D: 1. Karlee Wesney, Leaving Promises, 16.843, $168. 2D: 1. Abigail Knecht, Jazzy, 17.569, $60. 3D: 1. Tera Capaldi, Landman’s Banker, 18.136, $77. 2. Makenzie Clark, Taffy, 18.265, $52. 4D: 1. Charlee Gray-Estevam, Fancy Pants, 19.128, $67. 2. Emma Gower, Peaches, 20.209, $45.
Senior: 1D. 1. Lyndee Stairs, Two Links To Firewater, 16.570, $117. 2. Margurite Happy, Ima Top Pardner, 16.631, $90. 3. Sis Buttrey, Amos Is Famous, 16.719, $66. 2D: 1. Mary Jo Camera, Joe Dynamite, 17.254, $106. 2. Suzanne Koch, Genuine Lil Knight, 17.271, $81. 3. Sherrie Jones, Shooter, 17.326, $59. 3D: 1. Debbie Hicks, Big Caliber, 17.596, $90. 2. Lynnie Taylor, Duracell, 17.615, $69. 3. Lori Mandarich, Awesome, 17.740, $50. 4D: 1. Debbie Armendariz, Tyson, 19.003, $78. 2. Suzanne Koch, Tuff Night Peake, 19.249, $60.
WPRA SIDEPOT: 1D: 1. Jamie Hinton, The Goob, 16.557, $269. 2/3. Cheri Graves, Shine, 16.570, $216. Lyndee Stairs, Two Links To Firewater, 16.570, $216. 4. Margurite Happy, Ima Top Pardner, 16.631, $150. 5. Sis Buttery, Amos Is Famous, 16.719, $116. 6. Linda Vick, AR Will He Tell, 16.819, $90. 7. Mary Jo Camera, Fairlea Lucky Gun, 16.837, $76. 8/9. Charlene Jespersen, NF Frenchmans Brucey, 16.843, $63. Karlee Wesney, Leaving Promises, 16.843, $63. 10. Stacey Freitas, Mohican Sun, 16.854, $51. 11. Stacy Hampton, Big Ticket, 16.861, $46. 12. Karla Sanchez, Missy Marquita, 16.874, $39. 13. Haley Aquino, Miss T Starlight, 16.888, $36.
