Area youth enjoy the thrill of barrel racing at Cedar County Fair
HARTINGTON — Six area kids took part last week in the PRCA Rodeo’s Barrel Racing event.
On the second night of the Cedar County Fair, there was a jammed-packed rodeo arena. During part of the rodeo, youth were selected, beforehand, to run barrels.
Kids from Hartington, Randolph and Laurel rode in the event.
The youngest one, Brantlee Dendinger, is only five years old. She rode her horse, Cash.
Dendinger, Randolph, enjoys riding.
“I have been riding for a long time” she said. “I really like riding barrels with my horse and he likes me, too.”
Ever since 10 year-old Ashlynn Dailey could remember, she has been riding her horse, Daryll. Ashlynn is the daughter of Dirk and Jaimie Dailey, and they live in Hartington.
She was not only riding Daryll as a 4-H’er but was excited to do it at the rodeo, too. “At the rodeo, I did barrel racing. We would set out
“At the rodeo, I did barrel racing. We would set out the barrels in an arena and my mom helped me with that,” said Ashlynn, “I would teach him the pattern until he knew it.”
Another Hartington girl — Kassydi Anderson — also competed in barrels. She only started competing two or three years ago and this year she carried a flag and rode barrels during the rodeo. She has been excited to get on her horse, Fuz, and fulfill a dream of hers.
“Don’t give up and don’t limit yourself. That slows yourself down a lot more than the competition does,” said Anderson.
Claire Rolfes, Hartington, also took part in the Junior Barrel Race.
“I really started getting into horses when I was 8,” said Rolfes, “I like the barrel racing because I get to connect with the horse.”
She also wants to encourage the younger generation. “If you get knocked off, get right back on, because nothing can stop you then,” she said.
Hattie McCorkindale was the only one from Laurel to compete in this event.
“I have always wanted to run barrels,” said McCorkindale. She ended up getting second in the contest.
The only boy out of the Junior Barrel Racing crew was Randolph’s Cody Junck.
“Jay-R (his horse) knew the pattern so it wasn’t that hard,” said Junck, “I started when I was very young.” He ended up winning the contest with his horse.
All the kids agreed they had fun and it is really about having the connection with their horses.
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