EASTERN CLASSIC 2009 HIGHLIGHTS
Consistent Performance Pays Off Big for Bobbi Jo Bohlman and Moonshine!
1D winner Bobbi Jo Bohlman on Moonshine
with an average run time of 45.430.
Her fastest run time was 15.016 which also
earned her the In Pursuit of Excellence
Fast Time Award. For winner photos and results,
be sure to visit our 2009 Winners Circle.
One of the toughest and most consistent barrel racing teams in the Great Lakes Professional Rodeo Circuit, Bobbi Jo Bohlman and her talented gelding Moonshine, stand as the Super Heroes of the Sharon Camarillo Eastern Classic. To win a contest like the Classic once could be called luck, but for the fourth time in nine years, riding two different horses, Bobbi Jo is the example that hard work and determination, combined with some of the Sharon Camarillo Performance Horsemanship ingredients of purpose patience and passion, produce the consistent performance necessary to make every run count for the average win, the fastest run time, and yet another entry on her competitive resume.
Dawn Hasz-3D, Jinn Berry-2D and
Bobbi Jo-1D, with Sharon and Saddles.
Just seven-hundredths of a second separated Bobbi Jo from England’s greatest barrel racer, Nicki Cracknell riding Peppy Legend (Pete), a horse she competed on for the first time at the Classic. Congratulations to Ann Phillip riding Dual Pep Playboy, and Julie Meyer riding Breaky Achie Heart for their third and fourth place wins. Less than one tenth of a second separated our first division competitors, setting the stage for an exciting finale as the 9th Annual event came down to the third and final go-round.
The 3 go-round format, designed to reward consistent performance, began the final round of competition at the Double G Arena in Sterling, Illinois with over 30 percent of the competition carrying a barrel penalty after 2 go-rounds. Though the Double G arena hosts great ground conditions and a center alley way positioned for a fast approach, like most indoor facilities, the barrels are set up against the walls, similar to the National Finals Rodeo. It is difficult to have the courage to ride deep into the turns, a position necessary to maintain momentum for penalty free runs. Therefore the great prizes provided by prestigious National sponsors are coveted reminders that planned performance and mental preparation pays off. I always say, make every run count and the average will take care of itself!
Co-Instructors represented at the
Eastern Classic! (Left to Right) Cheryl Price,
Cristina Borregales, Jinn Berry, Sharon
and Donna Irvin.
I was very proud of the Sharon Camarillo Performance Team members represented at the Eastern Classic. Riding The Ropenator, Donna Irvin, Black Hawk College Professor and traveling clinician for the Performance Horsemanship Clinic program, set the pace with the fastest run of the contest, unfortunately barely pulling down a barrel taking her out of what would eventually result in a “would have been” winning average. Donna came back on her 5 year-old gelding for 5th in the 2D average, followed by Team member formerly from Venezuela, Cristina Borregales who placed on both her entries. The leader of the pack was our youngest Team member, Texan Jinn Berry who won the 2D Court’s Saddle and the Junior Rider Gist championship buckle. Go Team!
Photographs by ProSportsPix.