Barrel race to go ahead in Saskatchewan

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This article was published 29/05/2021 (1642 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Manitoba Barrel Association has taken the steps to move the Prestige Barrel Race to Whitewood, Sask., on June 26 from Manitoba due to public health order restrictions.

However, no public health orders will be violated, according to acting president of the association, Charmaine Grad.

In a telephone interview with The Sun, she said that for Saskatchewan residents, under the Rodeo and Racing regulations, the event is above board.

“It is a legal event, and will be in phase 2 by that time. We’ll be within the guidelines of hosting in the province.”

For Manitobans who want to participate in the event, she said, “They don’t have to quarantine when they come into Saskatchewan.”

“At this time, anyone is able to come into Saskatchewan that we’re aware of. It’s just they have to quarantine when they go back into Manitoba. If you’re from Manitoba, you should know the regulations of your province.”

The organization was questioned by an anonymous source for hosting an event in Saskatchewan while its neighbouring province, Manitoba, is under strict lockdown. In an email from the Saskatchewan government, in response to an inquiry by The Sun they said, “We are not aware of the Whitewood barrel racing event. However, like most provinces, Saskatchewan is discouraging non-essential interprovincial travel at this time. We are optimistic that as vaccination rates increase across Canada that we can look forward to travel and participate in events across the country.”

In Manitoba, residents should be staying home and avoiding any non-essential travel. As well, anyone entering the province must self-isolate for 14 days according to the current public health orders.

Grad did not have updated registration information which indicated how many barrel racers from Manitoba would be participating in the June event, saying there are 135 slots available. Those slots fill quickly and could come from Alberta, North Dakota, Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan but are dependent on the health restrictions at the time. As well, more than one slot may be held by one person.

“Everyone was well informed ahead of time that the event moved to give them plenty of time to get their slots to someone else if they can’t come because of the regulations for whatever reason, because it has moved,” Grad said.

The slots are $205 each and non-refundable. They’re purchased months in advance, but with a ‘massive’ waiting list, participants unable to attend should have no problem renting their spot, she said.

“In the end, it’s up to the individual what they do, because some can go home and quarantine. If they’re from Manitoba, and they would like to enter, they can come to Saskatchewan, but when they go home, their provincial rules will be for them to quarantine for two weeks.”

Kelsey Wheeler is a professional barrel racer. She said the prizes from those races are her bread and butter. She will be travelling from Brandon to participate in the Prestige Barrel Race, she said.

The Prestige Barrel race isn’t Wheeler’s first rodeo. Literally. She’s been training horses since she was 10 years old and went professional at 16. She’s confident the race will run without a hitch.

“You follow the rules. The event is outside. I talked to two or three people. You’re on horseback. You’re not close to anybody. You have to make sure the horses don’t kick each other. It’s just common sense frankly. Everybody did their part, ran (the race) and left,” she said of a previous event she participated in Carnduff, Saskatchewan recently.

“I’ll come home and self-isolate for 14 days,” she said. “It is what it is. I’m getting my vaccine on June 1.”

At the Carnduff event, everyone wore masks and there were no spectators, she pointed out. “If I’m not going to get fined, I’m going,” she told The Sun in a telephone interview.

On the Prestige Barrel Race Facebook page, there were a few people who said they weren’t attending due to the public health restrictions in Manitoba.

Grad said she has offered to help those people fill their slots but she’s confident they won’t have a problem.

The Prestige Barrel Race is scheduled for June 26 and 27.

» kkielley@brandonsun.com