Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Barrel racing inundated by Lemitar riders

State competition has five from the area

Jason W. Brooks El Defensor Chieftain Reporter

When the Governor's Tour concludes this weekend in Clayton, 15 of the state's top barrel racers will compete in the rodeo. Not only will five of those 15 riders represent one county, they'll all represent one community — Lemitar.

Debbie Hogland, Audra Hogland, Tasha Jacobs, Makayla Jacobs and Laura Haines are all entered in the finale of the Governor's Cup tour, based on their performance at a seasonlong series of rodeos held throughout the state. The tour, which this year includes the Socorro County Fair & Rodeo held earlier this month, has helped affirm Lemitar's status as one of the top areas in New Mexico in the sport of barrel racing.

"I think that says we're a pretty strong in that area," said Debbie Hogland, whose daughter Audra has also qualified for the Governor's finals. "We're all weekend warriors; none of us do this full-time."

There is more than $36,000 in awards up for grabs at the Tour final in different events, and the performances are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday afternoons. The Casper Baca Rodeo Co., which produced the 2006 Socorro County Fair rodeo, will also run the tour final.

The age range of the five is as diverse as the sport of barrel racing itself. Hogland, 54, jokes that she and her 21-year-old horse, Boone, are a combined 75, making the two the "oldest rider-horse combination in the state."

Hogland said the five who have qualified for the tour's final event show not just how common horse ranches are in the area, but also the dedication level of riders from Lemitar.

"Each of us made it our goal to qualify," said Hogland. "Now we've got to make it count."

jbrooks@dchieftain.com

E-mail this story Printer-friendly version