The Annual Wheat City Stampede rode into Brandon, MB October 23-25, 2014. It was three full days of horse events jam packed under one roof at the Keystone Centre. In addition to the Manitoba Rodeo Finals, there were several other events occurring including the Todd Stiles Memorial Barrel Race and the NAERIC Barrels Of Cash Futurity and Stake Race.
Making her way back to her home province to cash in on the lucrative events, was Kristy Gilchrist. The now Maple Creek, SK cowgirl nearly had a clean sweep of all three barrel races. Kristy placed first in both the long go and short go of the Todd Stiles Memorial Barrel Race (aboard Sweet Cedar), placed first in the NAERIC Barrels of Cash (on Money At Par) and placed second in the NAERIC Barrels of Cash Stake race (on Miss Red Bug Money) to win nearly $5000 within 24 hours. She won a saddle for her short go win in the memorial race and $3600 for her futurity win. Making things extra special was that two of the three horses were bred and born by Kristy’s parents Kirk and Gail Bridgeman of Rapid City, MB. The Bridgeman’s are very active members of the NAERIC Barrels of Cash weanling sale which makes each consigned horse eligible for the exclusive futurity as a five year old.
Thank you Kristy for taking the time to answer these questions and congratulations on your success. I asked Kristy about her open and futurity horses.
– What are your horse’s registered and barn names?
Sweet Cedar aka Gucci (Open Horse) and Money at Par aka Cash (Futurity Horse)
-How long have you been running barrels on him/her?
I have owned Gucci for 5 years and have been running her the whole time I have owned her. I got Cash a year ago and started running barrels on her this spring. Took her to her first jackpot on June 5th.
-What is the training background on each horse?
Gucci was started on the barrels by a girl in Arizona when I got her. When I got her our styles didn’t quite fit together so spent a couple years getting her really broke and consistent. We ranched on her lots to give her another job besides barrel racing. I actually purchased her as a broodmare but liked running her so much I haven’t bred her yet.
Cash was ridden by my aunt as a 3 and 4 year old. I got her late in her 4 year old year. Spent a few months getting her really broke. Tyler calved heifers on her this spring. This gave her a lot of confidence and taught her to move out. Started her lightly on the barrels in winter 2014 and started jackpoting her in June. She took to them really easy.
– How would you describe their running styles?
Gucci is a free runner. Just let her do her job. I spent 3 years fighting with her at first barrel until a good friend of mine watched a run one day and we figured out she was pushing her left shoulder out at the start of her turn. Started 2 handing 1st barrel and her confidence sky rocketed.
Cash is gritty and loves to turn. From the first time I loped a pattern she wanted to turn. With every run I make she gets better and better.
-What is it you like best about each horse?
Gucci is her attitude. She can be a little temperamental but I believe it is what has made her such a tough competitor.
Carol Stiles, Kristy Gilchrist and Sylvia Stiles (l to r)
Cash is her determination. Anything you show her she try’s her best and wants to please.
– Which run of your weekend stands out as your favorite and why?
That’s a tough question. Winning the NAERIC Barrels of Cash Futurity is something very special to me as I did it on a mare that my parents raised. That was also the best run Cash has ever given me.
-How do you prepare for your runs (warm up etc.)?
Neither of my mares require a lot of warm up. I try to long trot to loose them up, lope some circles both ways to make sure they are thinking, then walk or sit until my run. Both mares a little nervous by nature before their runs therefore keeping them moving before a run I find keeps their mind occupied.
-What kind of saddle do you use?
I ride in a Tim Piland
-What kind of pad do you use?
I’m old school and use 2 wool saddle pads On Gucci and a 5 star on Cash.
-What kind of bit do you use?
Gucci runs in an Arizona head setter and a Charmayne James gag bit. I run Cash in a Dave Elliott bit that is a swivel mouth piece with a small amount of gag. Dave and Louise gave it to me to try and I fell in love with it.
-Are there any specific goals you set for yourself and your horses this season?
I knew I wasn’t going to have a lot of time to run Gucci this summer so I wanted to take her to the rodeos I know she likes as well as a couple big jackpots. She won Bow Island CCA/CRA rodeo for me and placed at a couple others.
My main goal for Cash was to have her running solid by the barrels of Cash race. I never imagined that she would come along as good as she did and
Click to enlarge Money At Par’s pedigree
win the race!
-If you were to share a barrel racing tip what would it be?
That hard work does pay off and to have fun!!!
-What do you do when your aren’t barrel racing?
I work full time as a Chartered Accountant and help my husband on his family’s ranch so I don’t have a lot of extra time. When I’m not barrel racing I’m out riding colts usually. I enjoy curling in the winter as well.
Kristy would like to thank the following folks:
I would like to thank the organizers of the Circle S / Todd Stiles barrel race as well as the NAERIC Barrels of Cash Futurity. Also, my husband Tyler and my parents. Tyler rides all my young horses on the ranch and puts up with me being gone barrel racing a lot. My parents have supported my barrel racing addiction since I was a quite young. They incorporated 2 running bred stallions into their breeding program so that I could raise some of my own horses.
Watch Kristy’s runs:
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Congratulations Kristy! It was so awesome to watch you run Cash and Win!!! And then to watch you have two great runs on Gucci! It made a great day even greater! We are so proud of you!
Aunt Tracy & Uncle Marshall