ROCK SPRINGS – The first Wild West Outlaws Gymkhana of the new 2023-2024 season at the Sweetwater Events Complex Indoor Arena ended with some familiar names in first place, as well as a smattering of newcomers Sept. 23.
Kaisely and Kanin Kennedy from Rock Springs were the most consistent winners, finishing first and second, respectively, in Barrel Racing, Pole Bending, and the “3rd Event”, where riders had to navigate their mounts between four poles and then around a fifth pole, then back again. Wild West Outlaws Gymkhana event organizer Sue Nichols usually has a third event of a different type with each gymkhana.
Sadie Nichols; 10, from Rock Springs had herself a day, finishing first on her mount in the age 10-13 Barrels, Poles and the 3rd event, with times of 16.195, 20.517, and a speedy 7.705 seconds respectively. Loraine France in the age 7-9 competition was also a triple winner, coming in first in all three events, with times of 16.969 seconds in Barrels, 22.264 seconds in Poles, and 8.155 seconds in the 3rd event.
Royalty
This season’s Wild West Outlaws Gymkhana Queen is Kyra Folks, 17, of Rock Springs. In order to be named Queen for the upcoming season, Folks had to demonstrate superior horsemanship, give a speech, answer an impromptu question, and handle an interview. The Queen contest took place Sept. 17. Folks and her horse finished first in the Gymkhana 3rd event, with a blistering time of 7.343 seconds.
Sadie Nichols is this season’s Wild West Outlaws Gymkhana Princess.
Different strategies
Various articles differ on what is the best winning strategy for success in barrel racing. Some say to veer toward that first barrel (of three), while other authorities prefer a more straight out of the gate approach and then turning toward the first barrel.
“A lot depends on what the horse wants to do,” Gymkhana veteran Michell Howard from Rawlins said. “You never go straight at the barrel.” Howard’s barrel runs started off up and then a smooth veer to the first barrel.
“I actually aim (my horse) at the third barrel (at the far end of the arena),” Heather Adams from Rock Springs explained. Adams added that she has her horse go outward around 12-15 feet before veering.
“It’s better to go for the ‘pocket’,” declared Green River’s Madison Coudrain, 13. “Your horse needs to prepare for the next barrel.” Part of the preparation, Coudrain added, was making sure the horse’s entire body, including its back end, were moving in the same direction.
In barrel racing, a “pocket” is the out-of-the-gate location which horse and rider aim for, prior to veering toward the first barrel.
Train first
Since horse and rider work as a team in barrel racing and pole bending, having a completely trained mount is vital not only to success, but also to safety. One of the adult barrel racers ended up in the Indoor Arena dirt when her horse developed a mind of its own and dumped her out of the saddle. The rider took a minute or so to get back up, walking gingerly back to the starting gate.
There is no quick way or standard amount of time to train a horse for barrels and poles, and serious injury can result from bringing a horse into the arena before it is ready. At 16, Kendra Huntington is a Gymkhana veteran. “It really depends on the horse how long it takes to train it,” she said, adding that getting a horse up to competition level can take years.
Kendra Huntington won the age 14-17 barrel race event, with a time of 16.267 seconds.
Not gymnastics
The term “gymkhana” refers to horse competitions and has nothing to do with gymnastics.
“There are gymkhanas all over the country, and some of them are pretty big events,” Wild West Outlaws Gymkhana organizer Sue Nichols said.
The next Wild West Outlaws Gymkhana is scheduled for Oct. 14 at the Sweetwater Events Complex Indoor Arena.
Barrel Racing (1st, 2nd, 3rd)
Ages 6 & under (name, time in seconds)
Kaisely Kennedy, 36.251
Kanin Kennedy, 105.59
7-9
Lorraine France (Frosty), 16.969
Lorraine France (Trixie), 18.169
Cedar Kirk, 18.825
10-13
Sadie Nichols, 16.195
Kennedy Kleinlein (Stick), 16.231
Kennedy Kleinlein (Beemer), 17.298
14-17
Kendra Huntington, 16.267
Makinzi Huntington, 18.087
Kyra Folks, 24.915
18-39
Emilene France, 17.276
Haylee Sheller, 20.253
Savannah Helmetag, 21.977
40 & over
Louise Kennedy, 16.535
Debbie Gardea, 16.626
Mishell Howard, 17.028
Pole Bending
6 & under
Kaisley Kennedy, 44.724
Kanin Kennedy, 160.065
7-9
Loraine France, 22.264
Eberlee Okarma, 23.31
Cedar Kirk, 28.317
10-13
Sadie Nichols (Magic) 20.517
Madison Coudrain, 26.79
Sadie Nichols (Sorrelly) 27.489
14-17
Makinzy Huntington, 26.343
Kyra Folks, 28.171
Kendra Huntington, 31.769
18-39
Emilene France, 23.719
Savannah Helmetag, 26.518
Haylee Sheller, 32.318
40 & over
Heather Adams, 25.311
Louise Kennedy, 25.589
Christine Thomas, 25.933
3rd Event
6 & under
Kaisley Kennedy, 11.436
Kanin Kennedy, 45.114
7-9
Loraine France, 8.155
Cedar Kirk, 8.161
Eberlee Okarma, 9.744
10-13
Sadie Nichols, (Magic), 7.705
Sadie Nichols (Sorrelly), 7.947
Madison Coudrain, 8.244
14-17
Kyra Folks, 7.343
Kendra Huntington, 7.481
Makinzy Huntington, 8.615
18-39
Emilene France, 6.524
Savannah Helmetag, 8.277
Haylee Sheller, 12.842
40 & over
Kimberly Foran, 7.293
Louise Kennedy, 7.558
Mishell Howard, 7.696
