Barrel Racing

Barrel racers saddle up to chase cans in Oklahoma City.

By Larri Jo Starkey
The American Quarter Horse Journal
July 4, 2012

Jessica Frost and Skippin Stones won the AQHA amateur and 1D BBR class at the 2012 Battle in the Saddle

Jessica Frost of Lubbock, Texas, and Skippin Stones topped both the AQHA amateur standings and the 1D BBR standings. (Larri Jo Starkey photo) To view more photos, scroll down to the slide show below.

It was a good day July 4 for the Texas Tech women’s rodeo team at Battle in the Saddle.

Barrel racers saddled up 161 horses for runs in Oklahoma City, and a rider from the Texas Tech national championship team took home two of the top prizes.

The RFD-TV-sponsored event included a simultaneous AQHA barrel race and a 4D barrel race through the Better Barrel Races. Racers had a first go July 3 followed by another long go July 4 and then a short go to determine the winners.

Jessica Frost of Lubbock, Texas, topped both the AQHA amateur standings and the 1D BBR standings when all the dirt was settled around all the cans.

Jessica’s ride for the win was Skippin Stones, a 2004 brown mare by High On A Lark-Po Jo Stick by Sticks An Stones. The mare was bred by Dale and Leigh Whiteaker of Andersonville, Tennessee.

“My first two runs, I just wanted to qualify for the World (Championship Show), and I was able to do that, so really wanted to push this run in the short go and give it all I’ve got,” Jessica said. “I did, and I almost tipped the second (barrel), and in the process, I lost my stirrup. Normally, I have to ride two hands to the third to help her out, and I didn’t’ have to and we ended up pushing it home and winning it.”

At the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyoming, where they competed for the Texas Tech women’s team, Jessica and “Chica” ended up 16th overall, an impressive placing considering they have only been a team for 10 months.

“We had some pretty good runs up there and even better ones here,” Jessica said. “After World, I’m going to go for my pro card and hopefully make it to the (National Finals Rodeo) my rookie year.

“My main goal is rodeo, but AQHA shows are the blessing in disguise behind it all.”

Jessica plans to graduate in December with a degree in animal science business.

AQHA recognized the top three in youth, amateur and open with prizes and spurs for the winners.