EASTERN CLASSIC 2011 HIGHLIGHTS
Sharke Attack at the Eastern Classic!
Fancy Smoak (above), the Grand Champion
of this year's Classic. Donna also took the
In Pursuit of Excellence Fast Time
award with a time of 14.856 and won the
Appreciation and Senior barrel races.
For winner photos and results, be sure to
visit our 2011 Winners Circle.
Donna Irvin's horse, PC Fancy Smoak, a seven year-old gelding by Fire N Smoak out of Doc's Oak Sugar, a granddaughter of Frenchman Guy, affectionately known by those who love him as "Sharke" (because of his aggressive attitude towards other horses), began his attack by winning round one. Sharke missed his mark in round two but held his focus as he entered the finals in second place, a slight two-tenths behind event leader Kristina Calvert. On Finals Sunday, the Shark's aim hit the mark with a career high, clocking the fastest time of the three go-round contest and an Eastern Classic Grand Championship.
A brilliant and consistent performance by Black Hawk College Equine professor Donna Irvin, proved that the motto of the Sharon Camarillo Better Barrel Racing program, "Plan the Run, Run the Plan" works. As coach of the IHSA award winning Black Hawk Equestrian Team, WPRA Great Lakes Circuit Director, and traveling Instructor for the Sharon Camarillo Better Barrel Racing Clinic programs, Donna has competed at the Classic since its inception in 2001, and is possibly the most consistent winner in the history of the annual event with more divisional placing's than any other rider. Donna has ridden five different horses in her Classic history and continues to be a mentor for students and fellow contestants demonstrating that good horsemanship techniques, paired with a mental plan, never goes out of style. Donna was thrilled with her win, but admits that one of her biggest rewards comes in the opportunity to compete with the students she has inspired and taught and who share her passion for barrel racing competition and horsemanship education.
Sharke made his Classic debut by winning the Vaquero Award as a four year-old in 2008, setting the stage for his big attack in 2011, taking the Courts Saddle, Rambo blanket for the In Pursuit of Excellence Fast Time Award, Gist buckles for both the Senior 1D and Appreciation 1D. Proving his mettle, Sharke also took Clinic Instructor Storme Camarillo to a 1D time in the Saturday evening Fun and Fast Times Jackpot, proving that a consistent foundation on the part of both horse and rider makes the duplication of success a formula not lucky run.
Congratulations to our Divisional Winners, 2D Cal Vader riding Lacey Bar Leo; 3D Penny Bound on Smartchic Investment; 4D and Kalyn Brooks Memorial Award Paula Stephani riding MML Jessie's Only Fool. Each of the 2-4 Division winners received custom designed ostrich boots by Anderson Bean, Mercedes, Texas. Congratulations to Junior Rider Adam Herbster on CB and Target Race Champion Kim Ford on Hollywood. The ProSportsPix certificate for the best costume rendition of Classically Camelot was won by Iowan Bonnie Fagan, and Marlin Souki was awarded the Wrangler Award for the rider who traveled the furthest, Venezuela! A heart-felt thank you goes out to all of our Classic contestants for supporting the program, and for their generous combined donation of over $1,800 to the Wrangler National Patriot Program lending a helping hand to our enlisted men and their families.
It was a thrilling race and the contestants really stepped up to the plate on their final run. Our tractor driver Scott VanDerElsen did an excellent job grooming the ground at the Double G Arena; Announcer Scott Johnson created the atmosphere with rocking music, and our gate man Shawn Williams sent each rider down the alley way with a positive Go-Get 'UM attitude. Susanne Lee our General Manager, and our Timers Sue Albrecht and Pam Bound did an excellent job over seeing the entire program. A BIG thank you to Team Black Hawk!
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Many thanks to our entire Eastern Classic staff for making this event possible! |
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Please remember to support our Classic sponsors who support each rider through their generous cash and award sponsorships. Join us for the Eastern Fiesta Clásica Olé, October 5-7, 2012. May God bless and keep each of you in His favor!
Photographs by ProSportsPix.