Happy Trails with Dawni O’Bryan: Fair Season Officially Over

The end of September marks the official date for area county fairs to wrap things up and start looking forward to next year. The Holly Fair is the crowning glory that helps us say goodbye to summer. The days of feeding and caring for 4-H and FFA animal projects halts and kids and parents sing a big “Hallelujah.” The folks of the Holly area take great pride in putting on a quality show and display of the talent in this area. Months of preparation, work, and time come to fruition in the final county fair in this little border town. Volunteers come out of the woodwork to make things happen.

The Holly Fair Board and the Holly Saddle Club have done a tremendous job of making improvements to the fairgrounds. The arena was revamped with a center alley entrance for the barrel racers (which we love) and catch pens for steers and calves at the west end. The lights shine bright over the arena and Highway 50 travelers definitely know something is going on in the cowboy’s playpen. I hope the updated facility will host more events in the future. The new concession stand and bathrooms are also a needed addition.

The midweek cowgirl event had the ladies take to the arena on Wednesday evening under cool skies for a double header barrel race. It was a double header due to an earlier jackpot being cancelled for weather reasons. Race number one was sponsored by Brew Unto Others Coffee Shop with gift certificates and prizes being awarded to peewee contestants, youth, and open winners. Race number two was sponsored by Stampede Services with fly boots being awarded to the open division winners. Youth and peewee contestants also received prizes.

Race #1 results: Open 1D-1.Sydni Blanchard 16.954 seconds-$222, 2.Dwana Salisbury 17.132 seconds-$163, 3. Mazie Noe 17.396-$108; 2D-1.Kamryn Patterson 17.496 seconds-$169, 2.Jean Winters 17.595 seconds-$127. 3.Lana Brown 17.734 seconds-$84, 4.Talara Coen 17.875-$42; 3D-1.LeeAnn Ridley 17.96 seconds-$113, 2. Karisa Brookshire 17.974 seconds-$84, 3.LeeAnn Ridley 18.046 seconds-$56, 4. Lindsey Dorenkamp 18.163 seconds-$28; 4D-1.Sydni Blanchard 18.638 seconds-$84, 2.Stephanie Spitz 18.653 seconds-$63, 3.Dawni O’Bryan 18.796 seconds-$42, 4.Jaelin Parker 18.805 seconds-$21. Youth was won by Mazie Noe (1D), Maci Jackson (2D), Cambrie Crum (3D). The Peewee division was won by Stealy Lord for both races #1 and #2.

Many girls rolled their time from race #1 to race #2 without running their horse again. There was the option to run again, if one so desired. Since Blanchard did not roll her time, the winners were a little different in race #2. Open 1D-1.Dwana Salisbury, 2.Merisa Cominiello, 3.Mazie Noe; 2D-1.Lana Brown, 2. Talara Coen, 3.LeeAnn Ridley; 3D-1.Lindsey Dorenkamp, 2.Lindsey Dorenkamp, 3.Tracy Housholder; 4D-1.Stephanie Spitz, 2.Dawni O’Bryan, 3.Jaelin Parker. Youth results were the same. Bree von Hellborn of y77media was on hand to take pictures of all the barrel racers in their moment.

The team ropers twirled their lariats in the arena on Thursday evening in the event sponsored by the Holly Saddle Club in a #12.5 slide roping. There were 78 teams that were either picked or drawn for partners. Taking top honors were Brandon Seufer and Brendan Hermes with a time of 35.42 seconds on four head and $760 apiece. Coming in second was Merisa Cominiello and Bob Bamber with a time of 35.98 seconds and $600 each. Third place was Slade Lord and Austin Crist with a time of 37.63 seconds and $460 each. Fourth place was Wyatt Wollert and Austin Crist with a time of 39.7 seconds and $320. Fifth place was Treagyn Duarte and Eduardo Garcia with a time of 40.11 seconds and $160 each. Getting $50 for the fast time in the round was Wyatt Wollert and Austin Crist (8.45 seconds) and Dakota Canfield and Gavin Wash (8.45 seconds). There was some sadness in the air, as Holly team roper, Greg Cline, passed away at the end of last week. Cline attended more Holly Fair team ropings than anyone on record. He was missed.

Results of the ranch bronc riding slated for Saturday will appear in the next issue.

Goodbye summer, hello fall. I think we will all welcome some cooler temperatures, but it is always hard to say goodbye to my favorite season. There was a man that lived in Hawaii for many years and decided to move. He missed the changing of the seasons. Perspective.

Happy Trails.