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HISTORY OF THE BBRS
(Compiled courtesy of Phyllis Brosz and Sue Schott)
The Billings Barrel Race Series was formed in 1987. Records were sketchy during the club's infancy. Phyllis Brosz and Sue Schott were kind enough to recall from memory the events of 1987 through 1989.
If any current or past members of the BBRS have information to add to the club's history for this time period, feel free to contact an officer with your information.
1987: A somewhat organized barrel race series was started in 1987 by a group of women who were interested in the sport of barrel racing. Charlene Murphy, Leslie Bracey and Barb Wagner organized the events. no points were kept and no year-end prizes were awarded. It seems we did run for a small entry fee which was jackpotted. Sometimes there were two competitors and sometimes there were ten.
1988: The club grew from just a few barrel racers running for jackpotted money to a group wishing to run for awards. The Billings Barrel Race Series was formed. Rules and guidelines were written. A nomination system was set up for barrel horses to provide funds to purchase year-end awards. A goal was determined for the club which is still followed today: "To promote barrel racing, provide barrel races without excessive travel expenses, provide inexpensive runs in different arenas, to season your horse."
Audrey McRae acted as secretary/treasurer to track earnings for year-end awards.
Divisions at this time were $200, $900 and $2500 (The $2500 was later changed to Open). Breakaway roping was added during this year.
The first BBRS Finals was held at the METRA in conjunction with a WPRA barrel race. The overall champion received a saddle and the top ten overall money earners received jackets. Memory serves that there may have been a barrel race futurity also.
1989: Pole Bending was added as an event and ran at 7:00 p.m. prior to the barrel race. The finals were again held at the METRA.
1990: Junior events were added for various age groups. The junior events included goat tying, pole bending and breakaway roping. The finals were at the METRA. Halters were given to the top ten money earners.
1991: Bob Holland was elected president. Sue Martin was the earnings keeper. Junior events were held with the regular events. The name became "The Billings Barrel Race and Youth Series". The club started the year with $200 in the treasury. Membership fees of $10.00 per person and $20.00 per family were implemented. The membership totaled 60 for the year. Competitors were required to be members in order to participate in the finals which were held at the METRA. Divisions were 200, 900 and Open. Jackets were awarded to the top ten money earners.
1992: Due to time constraints from the growing number of barrel racers and youth competitors, the two factions split company. The barrel racers became "The Billings Barrel Race Series" and the youth became "The Young Riders". After splitting the treasury, the BBRS started the year with $170.93. Phyllis Brosz was elected president, Sue Schott was secretary/treasurer. Jan Parker and Linda Crowder were directors and Lynne Satre was public relations representative. The club's objective became: "To promote barrel racing. To be able to school/train your young (green) horse and/or your older horse. Keeping costs at a minimal fee, i.e.: travel and expenses. To prepare and condition the horse and rider for the rodeo." There were 39 members and 29 nominated horses. Divisions consisted of 200, 900 and Open. Jackets were presented to the top ten money earners at the finals.
1993: The treasury swelled to $973.41. Phyllis Brosz was president, Sue Schott was secretary/treasurer. Jan Parker and Linda Crowder remained directors as well as Lynne Satre in the public relations position. A new division was added "Never Before Entered a Barrel Race (NBEBR). This class was for strictly green horses. Membership increased to 56 and there were 36 nominated horses. The BBRS sponsored a barrel racing clinic with Gary and Linda Crowder and Rod and Phyllis Brosz as the clinicians. The clinic turned out to be a major money making event for the club. Lynne Satre was credited with securing funds to purchase an electric eye for the club. The BBRS implemented a barbecue potluck to honor sponsors for its events. A Lucky Draw was started - members entered a drawing for prizes to be drawn for at each event. A Horse of the Year award was created. This award was determined by membership vote and did not require that the horse be nominated. Phyllis Brosz's horse Smokey was the recipient. Jackets were presented to the top ten money earners for the year.
1994: The club grew to a membership of 81 barrel racers with 45 horses nominated. The treasury started the year with $2,138.93. Phyllis Brosz remained president, Paula Harris was vice president, Sue Schott remained secretary/treasurer, Jan Parker and Linda Crowder remained directors, Lynne Satre remained public relations representative. The "NBEBR" (Never Before Entered a Barrel Race) division designation was changed to "Non-Winner". Horses nominated to this division could not have won any points, ribbons or money to be eligible. The 100 Rider/1000 Horse division was also added. Riders and horses nominated to this division required that the rider could not have won over $100 in barrel race competition and the horse could not have won over $1,000 in barrel race competition. Jackets were again presented to the top ten overall money earners. Horse of the Year recipient was Lady ridden and owned by Pat Loge.
1995: The bank account started with $2,170.77. The BBRS incorporated this year and developed a set of by-laws. Officers for the year were: Paula Harris-President, Carol Brumfield-Vice President, Phyllis Brosz-Ex Officio President, Sue Schott-Secretary/Treasurer, Diane Bomar-Director, Fern Hegle-Director, Jodi Klind-Director. The public relations position was dropped. The Ex Officio President was to serve on the board of directors. Directors were issued duties.
- First year director - organize arenas and crews to set up weekly events
- Second year director - obtain sponsors and awards
- Third year director - in charge of awards ceremony
Divisions remained the same. Membership rose to 119 with 83 horses nominated. Jackets were awarded to the top 15 overall money winners. The Horse of the Year recipient was Rocky owned and ridden by Sue Schott.
1996: The year began with $1,780.00 in the bank account. Officers were: Paula Harris-President, Carol Brumfield-Vice President, Phyllis Brosz-Ex Officio President, Teri Davis-Secretary/Treasurer, Directors were Fern Hegle, Jodi Klind and Patty Propp. The club's objective became "To promote barrel racing. To be able to school/train your young (green) horse and/or your older horse. Keeping cost at a minimal fee; i.e.: travel and expenses. To prepare and condition the horse and rider for barrel racing." Divisions remained the same. There were 119 members with 73 nominated horses. The top ten overall money earners were presented jackets. Horse of the Year was won by Putz owned and ridden by Stacey Baumann.
1997: The bank account held $954.83. Officers were: Val LaFrance-President, Sue Schott-Vice President, Paula Harris-Ex Officio President, Teri Davis-Secretary/Treasurer, Directors-Jodi Klind, Patty Propp and Pat Loge. The 200 division was replaced by the 500 division. The club ended the year with 116 members and 46 nominated horses. Jackets were awarded to the top ten overall money earners. Horse of the Year was Earl ridden by Nikki LaFrance.
1998: The treasury bounded up to $1,644.85. Officers were: Val LaFrance-President, Nikki Shelhamer-Vice President, Paula Harris-Ex Officio President, Linda Olsen-Secretary/Treasurer, Directors-Patty Propp, Pat Loge and Suanne Stenger. Nikki Shelhammer assumed the presidency late in the year upon resignation by Val LaFrance. A second electronic eye was purchased and the field judge was eliminated.
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