Happy Trails with Dawni O’Bryan: The Cowgirls of the SECCC

The Southeast Colorado Can Chasers (SECCC) wrapped up their barrel racing series of 20 jackpots on October 13th amidst a beautiful fall afternoon at the Sand and Sage Fairgrounds. The cowgirls dressed up in western attire, as there was a best dressed award, as well as Y77 Media was on hand to take action photos. The series started in early spring of this year and the organization has had its largest numbers thus far of any year. There were jackpots with over 65 runners competing in a four division (4D) format. The SECCC has been headed up by Tori Hawks of Wiley and LeeAnn Ridley of Las Animas. The barrel races mainly take place in Lamar or Las Animas, but some have been held in Eads, Holly, Kim, and Springfield. A peewee division is for racers under 6 years of age, a youth division is for 7-16 year-olds, and then an open division is offered. Numerous sponsors have supported the organization and six help award a saddle to the year-end champions.

Winning the peewee saddle was Brooklyn Jackson of Swink and reserve champion was Harper Hawkins. The youth saddle was awarded to Stormie Lubbers of Lamar, as she accumulated the most points in a combination format. The youth 1D was won by Mazie Noe, youth 2D winner was Braya Ferris, youth 3D winner was Lubbers, Taelyn Seufer of Holly was reserve champion youth in the 2D and 3D. The open division awarded four saddles to each “D”. Despite the numerous jackpots, the champions in three of the divisions came down to the last race held on Sunday.

Coming away with the prestigious 1D championship by one point was Lana Brown of Eads. Her and “Sparky” edged out Talara Coen of Wiley by five hundredths of a second. With Coen as second, third was Sami Jackson of Swink. Consistently running a half second off of the 1D and winning the 2D saddle was LeeAnn Ridley on “EymaFrenchKing.” Second in the 2D was Coen and 3rd was Karisa Brookshire of Lamar. Winning the 3D saddle was Tracy Housholder of Syracuse, KS on “Flash of TwoEyed Jack.” Following in 2nd was Julie Dorenkamp of Lamar and third was Jaelin Parker of Wiley . Winning the 4D saddle was Dawni O’Bryan on “Wonder Woman,” with Hawks in 2nd place and Parker in third place.

The saddle sponsors that were Platinum level included Precision Home and Lawn, Colorado Mills, PRO Animal Nutrition, Reinke/Colorado Plains Irrigation, Ice Box-Dennis Ferris, and Ferris, LLC.

Other sponsors included First National Bank, Tempel Farms, Bellomy Insurance, R&T Ready Mix, Spitz Quarter Horses, Ace Tire, Lamar Vet Clinic, Coen Aerial Spraying, Cruikshank Realty, Riders Metal, Perkins-La Junta, TriState Body, McClave State Bank, State Farm-Anna Carere, Air Care, Crawford Roofing, Brew Unto Others, Quality Alfalfa, Stampede Powerline Services, Ark Valley Oil, Zurvita Business Consultant, Payne Agency, Core Nutrition, NAPA, GN Bank, Scooter Coffee, Bison Title, Ben Mayhew, Ronald and Ethel Ferris, Randy Paradeis, Bill and Phyllis Barlow, Sheila Anderson, and anonymous donor.

There were awards given down to 6th place in each division. Scooters, winter horse blankets, director chairs, beaded headstalls, pop-up barrels, halters, cowhide planners, cups, CM bags of grain, and other prizes were awarded. The “Friend of SECCC” went to Dennis Ferris of Eads.

Trust me, men, you want your wife or significant other to attend these barrel racing jackpots. It is cheaper than therapy and she will come back with spirits lifted and rejuvenated energy. The beautiful horses, the cowgirl camaraderie, and the spirit of competition have us coming back week after week. There was a situation during her run on Sunday with Housholder that had me laughing with tears in my eyes. Let’s just say it involved pearl snaps. She took the ribbing in stride, and we love her for it. “In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, for in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.” Khalil Gibran.

Happy Trails.