Tamieka Preston
Seventeen of the rodeo circuit’s grooviest grandmas and mightiest mums battled it out against the clock in the Hopes ‘n’ Dreams Pink Lady Classic barrel race held at the Gingin Campdraft grounds on 26 March.
It was local lady Lisa Edwards who beat the best on the day with the speediest time of 19.239 seconds – adding the beautiful buckle sponsored by the Northern Valleys News to her collection. She was closely followed by sisters Amber Neuman in 19.330 and Crystal Pascoe in 19.507 with Hayley Hall in fourth position in 19.616 – less than a half second more.
However there was no denying the absolute winner of the day was Breast Cancer Network for whom this terrific group of ladies collectively raised over $14,000.
Held as part of the Denim and Lace series, the idea for the fundraising race was sparked by Queensland rider Carina Stephens, who ran Pink Lady classics in QLD and NSW in 2016. Here in WA she passed over the reins to rodeo legend Sharron McCarthy and her daughter-in-law Tenika.
Being over 40 was a prerequisite of entry, inspiring many ‘retired’ riders along with their trusty steeds, to dust off their saddles and get back in the ring to raise funds for Breast Cancer Network in honour of loved ones lost to the disease.
For Gingin winner Lisa Edwards the tribute was to a recent loss.
“I entered this barrel race only weeks ago, after my friend and neighbour of 25 years passed away from breast cancer. I felt so numb in the weeks that followed her death and the Hopes ‘n Dreams Barrel Race seemed appropriate and at the time something else to think about other than my own grief.
“The Hopes and Dreams Barrel Race fundraising process broadened my insights to breast cancer and I soon realised that all of these people who were donating funds had their own stories of how cancer had affected them, which they were sharing with me.
“I was very proud to be part of a great team of ladies who dedicated the event to raising money for such a great cause and humbled by the donations we received.”
Lisa’s win topped off a successful 5-day series for the family and their ‘wonder horse’ Coldplay with Lisa’s 22-year-old daughter Maddi the overall winner of the 1D competition.
The home-bred horse was given to Maddi who has, in the last year, broken the Australian steer undercoating record on him and taken him to the National Rodeo Finals in Tamworth. “They make a great horse and rider combination,” said proud mum Lisa.
Heartfelt congratulations go to each one of the 17 ladies who entered and gathered sponsorship from far and wide using the gofundme website. Some received small amounts and some larger, but there was no doubt that every dollar made a difference when the grand total was added up.
Hopes ‘n’ Dreams Pink Lady Classic barrel race will be back in March 2018 to continue this legacy.
