BCBRA Message

Submitted by BCBRA Secretary/Membership Director, Joyce Pifer

Dear Fellow Barrel Racers; 

I have been a member of this wonderful association since 1990 of which then we boasted a membership total of 93 (1991). Last year totaled out at 470 (2011), with our record year being 2006 with 530 members. 

Last year’s payout of awards and prices was $99,195. This year should be even better.  By the time all the dust settled we have a very healthy bank account. Because of this we are excited to announce our 2012 Finals will have a minimum of added money of :

Open-$15,000
Junior-$3000
Senior-$1500
Peewee-$750
Second Chance Showdown-$1000

Please keep in mind these are the minimum amounts, if revenue from this year turns out as projected we will be looking at adding even more. As for the location, we are pleased to announce that this years Finals will be held August 17-19^th, 2012 in Barriere, B.C. Many upgrades have recently been made to the facility and the Barriere committee is very willing to work with us in order to make this Finals a memorable one.  

For renewing and new members, we have implemented a new way of forwarding attendance cards.  If you have an email address, your cards will be emailed to you.  Just print out on plain paper.  This has lessened the workload for me immensely and has sped up the process so this can be all done within the week.  However, for those unfortunate few who still do not have internet or email service, it could still take up to 2 weeks for processing. Remember, January 31^st is the cutoff for the membership discount.  The monies MUST be received by that time.

One thing I have learned over the years of this wonderful sport is that it takes a team to make it work.  At times, this team can be lost.  If anyone has ever mourned the loss of their equine companion, you will understand the following submitted by Kelle Lee Noble. With our deepest sympathy, RIP Kootenay Brew. 

Kootenay Brew~ March 7, 1995 - December 19, 2011
Submitted by Kelle Lee Noble

I had the privilege of purchasing Kootenay from family friends in Trail, BC. I tried him out as 3yr old to be told he was a bucker almost every time you rode him. Nervous as could be I threw a leg over and the rest was history! He never bucked a day since, Kootenay had a kind heart, gentle soul and calm eye. He taught me a lot in the 5 yrs I had him. He showed me how much personalities, horse and rider combo need to be met to have a strong bond where hearts beat together as one and have full trust in one another. Even though I trained him and had done well running in the 1D and we looked like a great team it could be nothing further from the truth. I met the Schurian's and Maria tried him out. If you ever had butterfly's watching someone else race and work with a horse, they had it! I could see Kootenay had chosen Maria as his co-pilot. The team went on effortlessly winning titles, blankets, saddles etc.  As Maria outgrew Kootenay I got to see him once again carry someone else to the pay window, Rhonda Schurian (Maria's mom). He baby sat Rhonda and waited for the cue to go fast or idle through the pattern. Last spring he fell ill. By all efforts made by Schurians, vets and my mom,  Kootenay lost his fight at 9:51pm December 19th 2011. I got to be there with Kootenay when we took our first breaths together in the arena, then watch his next with Maria and Rhonda. In the end I was there with him for his last breath. Kootenay was laid to rest under the willow tree on the farm. Thank you Kootenay for being such an amazing horse, you will forever hold a special place in our hearts…

 

 

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Date modified: January 9, 2012
Beatrice Suremann