By Charlotte Baker
WALLA WALLA–The Valley Girls Barrel Racing Association 2023 results garner an overall grand champion, Payden Henery; reserve champion Dana Greg; and a three-generation champion run: Adelle Smith, Honors Champion, Angela (Smith) Adams, Amateur Champion, and Oaklee Adams Junior Champion and Rookie Champion. Smith is mother to Angela Adams and grandmother to Oaklee Adams; all three reside in Waitsburg, Wash.
The Yearend standing for 2023 as overall champion is Payden Henry, and Dana Greg as Reserve Champion. Both are from Touchet, Wash.
The following are category champions.
Open Champion: Dana Gregg, Touchet, 97; Brenda Lennox, Touchet, 90; Nicole Kelly, Touchet, 75; Sue Ruzicka, Dixie, 60; Jessica Lewis, Pendleton, 54; Jackie Lynch, Walla Walla, 50; Michele Lyons, Touchet, 48; Robo McMillan, Walla Walla, 45; and Karen Gleason, Touchet, 43.
Honors Champion: Adelle Smith, Waitsburg, 127; Kim Thompson, College Place, `116; Tosie Gallaher, Dayton, 99; Heather Lin Campbell, Pendleton, 45; Maryanne Frazier, Touchet, 35; Rhonda Miller, Walla Walla, 33; and Stace Romaniuk, Walla Walla, 15 as Rookie Champion.
Junior Champion: Oaklee Adams, Waitsburg, 99, and Rookie Champion; Steely Sturza, Walla Walla, 93; Quin Meliah, Walla Walla, 60; and Makaya Lawyer, Walla Walla, 54.
Seniors Champion: Payden Henry, Touchet, 119, and overall champion; Kaylee Bredland, Walla Walla, 99; Parker Fisher, Touchet, 69; Lauryn Riney, Milton-Freewater, 50; Cody Kessler, Milton-Freewater, 48; Samantha Sprys, Walla Walla, 43; Ashley Lane, Prescott, 36; and Christy Saccomanno, Walla Walla, 27, and Rookie Champion.
Amateur Champion: Angela Adams, Waitsburg, 128; Anna Stowers, Prescott, 75, and Rookie Champion; Brooke Martin, Walla Walla, 72; Kara Hubbs, Walla Walla, 64; Mandy Faircloth, Adams, 32; and Allie Wilus, Pendleton, 15.
Novice Hose Champion: Tricia Sewell on TM He Be Gone, Milton-Freewater, 99; Tricia Sewell on Guys Packet Change, Milton-Freewater, 70; Nicole Kelly on Froghollow Bonanza, Touchet, 52; Madison Kelly on Reminican, Touchet, 38; Jacki Lynch on Swagger, Walla Walla, 33; Karen Gleason on Look Batman, Touchet, 30; and Sierra McColley on Sheza Flashy Legacy, Touchet, 30.
Valley Girls Barrel Raing Association has a very active membership of contestants, girls, and guys, and from little kids to folks well in their 70s. We have divisions for every level of rider and horse ability.
In addition, we have a membership for non-competing members who like to be involved in the production of barrel racing events.