Last week, breakaway ropers tried to qualify for a spot in the Calgary Stampede Rodeo. This week, barrel racers took centre stage at the Nutrien Centre at Stampede Park for a chance. It was the second round of the ladies’ barrel racing qualifier on Tuesday. Once again, the pressure was on. Hit a barrel and your dreams could be shattered. Heidi Gunderson came all the way from Murdock, Minn., to try and earn a spot. She came with her horse, “Wonder If I’m Lucky,” and just knew they would have a good shot at qualifying. “We have this phenomenal horse and he just wants to win, and if any horse could come here and do what he did today, it’s him,” said Gunderson. “I had all the confidence in the world in him.” In the second round, Gunderson and her horse blistered around the barrels in 16.55 seconds. She won the aggregate and will be back in Calgary for the Stampede Rodeo. “If you’ve watched rodeo throughout your life, you know this is a dream come true to come to Calgary,” said Gunderson. “I got here, and I took a picture of it to my husband and I said, ‘We’re going to Calgary in July.’ “And he said, ‘I have no doubt. I just knew that horse could do it.’” In all, there were 67 entries. One of those was Rae Lynn Armstrong from Bassano, Alta. “I actually grew up trick riding and always wanted to trick ride in this arena, and so I kind of retired my trick riding career and took up barrel racing,” said Armstrong. “So I thought, ‘Well, I’ve got another kick at the can, and maybe I could ride in that special arena on a barrel horse instead.’” Unfortunately, Armstrong and her horse, “Rambler,” didn’t qualify this year, but she says they’ll definitely be back for another crack at it. “He deserves it. He’s a super talented, athletic horse and I think he just deserves a shot to be running with the other greatest horses out there,” said Armstrong. Others to qualify in aggregate through two runs were Sydney Graham of Abilene, Texas, and Jaylan Neatherlin of Brock, Texas. Another Texan won the shootout—Catherine Asmussen of Laredo will also compete at this year’s Stampede.
