Photo by Allie Carson | Special to the Herald

Over 330 riders entered their horses in the barrel race at Gary Meadows Arena to raise money for Alzheimer’s research 

The event was hosted by Jessica Lauren & Julie (JLJ) Productions September 21.

Julie Webbe, owner of JLJ Productions, organized the event and sent all proceeds to the NEA Alzheimer’s Affiliates.

“[The plan] was to raise money for a local charity where 100% of the money raised goes directly to them,” Webbe said. 

Photo courtesy of Allie Carson | Special to The Herald

Barrel racing is a horse race where three barrels are set up around the arena and the horse has to run a cloverleaf pattern around the barrels without knocking them over. The winner of these races is usually determined by thousandths of a second.  

In addition to barrel races, the event featured food trucks Tacos on the Run, Timmons Coffee and The Mad Mexican. Items were also sold and raffled off,  including a saddle worth $2,000 donated by Master Saddles.

“We have a lot of local community sponsors and support,” Webbe said. 

Katelyn Oglesby, Paragould native, won the barrel race with a time of 15.779 seconds and went home with almost $1,300 and a belt buckle. 

Ila Beth Timmons, 20-year-old Jonesboro resident, said she has been riding horses for roughly two years. 

She placed 48th out of 267 in the 2D speed division with  a time of 16.755 seconds and 50th in the 3D placings with a time of 17.170 seconds. 

Timmons said something was off during her first race.

”We had a really good first barrel. I don’t know, something happened at the second barrel. But other than that it was pretty good,” Timmons said.

Timmons said she prepares both herself and her horse, Rowdy, before a race. 

“I want to get my mental game right. So I just make sure I’m thinking of the perfect run every time,” Timmons said. “I just want to make sure my horses feel the best they can and make sure they’re good and healthy.”

Out of all of the races they have done, the JLJ Productions team said it was their best race yet, and thanked all volunteers, sponsors, donors and contestants for making the race possible on their Facebook page. 

Categories: News