Valley Girls Barrel Racing Association

Walla Walla-Beginning in December, the riders of the Valley Girls Barrel Racing Association (VGBRA) will be taking their two-month hiatus from racing. The local organization is celebrating 61 years of promoting the sport of barrel racing in the Walla Walla Valley and surrounding areas.

In 1961, representatives of the Washington Barrel Racing Association came to Walla Walla to meet with interested riders in the area. That year, a regional awards system was introduced and Walla Walla Valley competitors from Oregon and Washington took home ten awards. In addition, a saddle was awarded to the Walla Walla Regional Barrel Racing Champion.

The following year, the Valley Girls Barrel Racing Association was created, including a junior division. Over the years, divisions have been added and there are now six divisions available to different age groups.

Rosie Gallaher, VGBRA Secretary, provided the following results from the 2021/22 season:

Overall

Name Total Hometown

Jackie Lynch - Champion 47 Walla Walla, Wash.

Sue Ruzicka 40 Dixie, Wash.

Open Division – Any members

Ranking Name Total Hometown

1 Sue Ruzicka 85 Dixie, Wash.

2 Jackie Lynch 73 Walla Walla, Wash.

3 Cindy Lane 63 Prescott, Wash.

4 Nicole Kelly 56 Touchet, Wash.

5 Dana Gregg 54 Touchet, Wash.

6 Kim Smith 47 Touchet, Wash.

7 Brenda Lennox 45 Touchet, Wash.

8 Karen Gleason 39 Touchet, Wash.

9 Michele Lyons 34 Touchet, Wash.

10 Jamie Thomas 29 Walla Walla, Wash.

HONORS Division - 50 years +, winnings less than $1,000 in past two years

1 Maryanne Frazier 122 Touchet, Wash.

2 Adelle Smith 112 Waitsburg, Wash.

3 Rosie Gallaher 101 Dayton, Wash.

4 Kim Thompson 100 Walla Walla, Wash.

5 Tara Mahoney 26 Pendleton, Ore.

6 Gay Davis 22 Adams, Ore.

Senior Division – members 13 to 24 years old

1 Payden Henry 108 Touchet

2 Kaylee Brown

(Rookie) 78 Walla Walla

3 Hannah Brannock 75 Walla Walla

4 Madison Worden 62 Walla Walla

5 Lauryn Riney 47 Milton-Freewater

6 Cody Kessler 39 Milton-Freewater

7/8 Paige Gartner 36 Touchet

7/8 Samantha Sprys

(Rookie) 36 Walla Walla

Junior Division - ages up to 12 years

1 Parker Fischer 124 Walla Walla, Wash.

2 Ashley Lane 115 Prescott, Wash.

3 Makayah Lawyer 105 Walla Walla, Wash.

4 Steely Sturza

(Rookie) 70 Touchet, Wash.

5 Sierra McColley 30 Touchet, Wash.

6 Kloee Elsberg 21 Waitsburg, Wash.

Amateur Division - 25 to 49 years old, winnings less than $1,000 in past two years

1 Kara Hubbs 126 Walla Walla, Wash.

2 Angela Adams 117 Prescott, Wash.

3 Lacy Russell 66 Dayton, Wash.

4 Brooke Martin 31 Walla Walla, Wash.

5 Michelle Warren 16 Walla Walla, Wash.

6 Cheyenne Bailey 17 Athena, Ore.

Novice Horse - horses with less than $500 in a lifetime winnings

Name Horse Total Hometown

1 Jackie Lynch Savvy Edward 87 Walla Walla

2 Courtney Frazier Famous Lacey 68 Touchet

3 Kim Kammenzind Perks Winnin Chex (Margaret) 56 Touchet

4 Cindy Lane French Cashn Curly Jo (Curly) 48 Prescott

5 Kelli Currin TLS Dat Bootylicious (Penny) 45 Dayton

6 Tiffany Lewis Bogies Gotcha Girl (Sass) 41 Pendleton