By Hope Raley
The event that just took place this past weekend in King City, CA was nothing short of epic. The ENERGY in that building was monumental. The entire West Coast Barrel Racing family and affiliates pulled off another recording breaking event.
There were countless people that stepped in and helped to make sure that this Finals was nothing short of epic. We could not have done this without each of you. From the legendary WCBRA Producers, the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds Staff, our Office Crew, the Arena Crew, the Parking Crew, the Tractor Drivers, Videographers (Event All Access), Photographers (Deb Mann), and YOU, our phenomenal Partners. You all are the real reason this Event and Association has grown into the monster that it is.
It took an army but we successfully ran over 1,973 runs, filled roughly 550+ stalls, wrote 768 checks, presented $100,000 in awards, and paid out $300,737 in three days. The awards were absolutely surreal, again, thanks to our Partners who we feel are the very best in the Industry.
2017 WCBRA Finals Breakdown:
631 Barrel Racers per day. (3 Days)
Added Cash: $153,130
Open Go-Rounds/Average:
500 Checks | $270,688
(Paid $78,000 per go round. Paid $38,000 in the average.)
Youth | 48 Checks | $5,640
Senior | 60 Checks | $6,059
Futurity | 24 Checks | $2,220
Derby | 42 Checks | $4,241
Juniors | 16 Checks | $1,700
Pendleton Whisky Men’s Race: 6 Checks | $1,350
Total Checks Written: 768
Total Payout: $300,737
Awards: $100,000
Linda Vick’s home in Hesperia, California is covered with barrel racing memorabilia from her three-year trip to the NFR, along with countless other awards that she has won throughout her career of barrel racing, and after her stellar showing at the West Coast Barrel Racing Association Finals this past weekend, Vick will be adding more memorabilia to her home.
Vick and her 7-year-old gelding, KN French Dot Fame, dominated all three days of action at the King City Fairgrounds in King City, California. “Frenchy”, as the glamourous palomino gelding is known around the barn, is by Frenchmans Fabulous, and out of a Hum Dot Com who is by Dash Ta Fame. Straight out of the Kenny Nichols program, “Frenchy” was bound for success as soon as he hit the ground.
“We bought him as a broke 3-year-old out of Colorado sight unseen, and I started him on the barrels,” explained Vick. “He had a very successful futurity year as a 4-yearold, placing at Fort Smith, and pretty much every futurity that he went to. However, his 5-and-6-year-old years were not as successful.
He really started to grow and get taller, and I think it took him awhile to figure out how to use this new set of legs he had grown overnight!”
Now 7, “Frenchy” is stepping back up to the plate, when Vick needed him most. “My good rodeo horse, “Willy” had colic surgery, and then got hurt, so I had to step “Frenchy” up to the plate. Ever since then, he has been running hard and doing exceptionally well.”
Going into the WCBRA Finals, Vick was hoping for smooth and clean runs. When she arrived in King City and got settled, she went to check-in and pick up her required back number for the finals. As tears welled in her eyes, Vick noticed that lucky number 16 was hers for the weekend.
“I got goosebumps when I had seen that my number was 16. When I went to the NFR in 2005 on “Hollywood”, my back number was 16. I was leading the world going into the NFR, but two down barrels costed us the world title and we finished the season reserve world champion,” Vick commented. “After seeing my number, I went back to the stalls and I told “Frenchy” that he had to win this for Hollywood”. He must’ve been listening.”
In the first round of the WCBRA Finals, Vick and “Frenchy” posted a very respectable time of 17.3 to finish out the round in 4th. With their first run under their belt, Vick and “Frenchy” made their next two runs with the pedal down. Running two 17.2’s, Vick won 2nd in the second round and 2nd in the third and final round, which secured them the 1D average. “He worked absolutely phenomenal all weekend. His runs were flawless and he really stepped up to the place. I am very thankful and feel very fortunate.”
Vick pocketed over $9,000 for the weekend, most of it won on “Frenchy”, but she also won checks on her two futurity horses Streakin Four Whiskey and Extremely French. In addition to some very deep pockets, Vick also won a Yeti Cooler, a pair of trophy splint and bell boots, a custom trophy saddle and much, much more!
“I want to make sure and thank the WCBRA crew for doing a fantastic job this past weekend. We had great prizes and great money to run at every round, and the ground was awesome and stayed very consistent. I also would like to thank my husband (Joe) for his continued support and help,” concluded Vick.
West Coast Barrel Racing Assoc. Finals. Sept. 2-4, 2017, King City, CA Average Champions
1D Champion, Kn French Dot Fame, Linda Vick, 51.867
2D Champion, GL Jets Frosted Peach, Aimee Barragan, 53.372
3D Champion, Chips Triple Drift, Kylie Martain, 54.867
4D Champion, Freckles Smokin Bug, DeLisa Fracchia, 56.367
5D Champion, Putty Cat, Jackie Healy, 57.916
