10 Karat Success
Stunned.
I’m simply stunned at the blinding success of the 3rd Annual Diamonds & Dirt Barrel Horse Classic.
To think it all started a little over three years ago because I – the proclaimed Queen of the Internet (and Facebook Fasting Failure)—didn’t want to travel out of state to watch my horses run.
With a payout and prize package worth $820,000, we’ve definitely brought “The Bling Back To Texas!”
Not only did we have a blast with our barrel racing friends from across the country, but we raised money and awareness for K9s4COPs.
Our 3rd Annual Dog & Pony Show alone raised enough to purchase at least three K9s for budget-challenged law enforcement agencies and schools. Sponsored by our good friends Jeff and Andrea of Busby Quarter Horses, the Dog & Pony Show was that talk of the event.
We put together teams of top barrel futurity riders and match them against each other in a charity race. The one kicker—they have to be riding ponies. Think Indianapolis 500 Champions Dario Franchitti and Helio Castroneves dueling it out in GoKarts!
The trash talk was deep—really, really deep. And after the dust settled? Talk about a bunch of squabbling children! I guess next year we’re going to have to officially measure all the “ponies.”
Our congratulations to K9s4COPs sponsored Brittany Pozzi for winning our inaugural Diamond Jubilee Slot Race. The two-time World Champion Barrel Racer and her horse Kisskiss Bangbang pocketed $100,000 for less than 16-seconds worth of work. We heard she tried to cash her big $100,000 check at the local gas station that night. Unlike her smoking tour of the cloverleaf pattern that venture was unsuccessful.
The Diamonds & Dirt Futurity also looks to be a part of the resume of the barrel racing industry’s newest all-time leading futurity horses. Kenna Squires and The Red Dasher won the Futurity and finished second in the Diamond Jubilee Slot Race, leaving town with more than $75,000 in cash. Their earnings are now nearly $200,000 just five months into the futurity season. They also won the Fast Time Rolex, donated by my beautiful friends David and Julia Gardner.
2006 WPRA World Champion Mary Burger and Sadiefamouslastwords won the Derby and Jaime Stiener of iconic rodeo family from Austin, Texas, won our Sweepstakes with an orphaned foal out of her great National Finals Rodeo horse Tiny Artillery. Steiner’s tears of joy and bittersweet story melted our hearts.
Our dear young friend Max Chouest, who will turn 12 this May, broke a lot of hearts on Sunday when he won the Open 5D aboard VF A Sporty Design. Let me tell you. This kid can flat out ride–PEROID!
Unfortunately, his run meant no money for me. I was just thankful to crawl out of my sick bed to ride my horse and enjoy the event too.
Our event is truly second to none in presentation. Our contestants tell us that no other event in the country treats its champions with such pomp and circumstance.
None of this would have been possible without the help of our generous sponsors—Busby Quarter Horses, Gold Rush Syndicate, Double J Saddlery, P+R Productions, David Gardner’s Jewelers, RES Equine Products, Buc-ee’s, South Texas Tack, Capital Farm Credit, Dean & Draper, Granada Farms, Messina Hof Winery, Baker Hay & Feed, Cavender’s Boot City, DePaolo’s Equine Concepts, Lone Star Truck & Equipment, Matt Litz Silversmiths, Prosperity Bank, Troy Flaharty Bits & Spurs, Equine Sports Medicine & Surgery, P&P Trailers and The Wood Group.
It’s more than just a barrel race. It’s more than a charity benefit. It’s a good time for family and friends.
We can’t wait for 2015. I hope to see you there!