Adam Prudhomme
Beaver Sports
A quartet of barrel racers from Selby Creek Farms’ national team have qualified for next year’s world championships, which will take place in Perry, GA.
Coached by Jess Tyner, the team of Madison Fitchett, Claire Wicklam, Tessa Amat and Erin Joe each won their divisions at the Canadian championships, which were held in Clinton, Ont. earlier this month.
“They all qualified in their first year of competition and all won their division as well,” said Tyner. “It’s very rare that all four girls get (into the world championships).”
The riders range from 15 to 17 years old. Though they’ve spent the last four years training at Selby Creek three times a week, they had never faced anything like the calibre of competition they faced earlier this month. That didn’t seem to phase them however as they all captured the top spot.
Along the way the girls were able to cope with everything from finding time to train to having to switch horses in the middle of the season.
Through it all they managed to take it all in stride and earn their spot among the elite riders. In some cases they were up against much more experienced racers but were able to meet the challenge.
“At the world championship they’re going to be competing against the U.S., Canada and Italy,” said Tyner. “It’s a huge competition.”
The championships will take place in June and July of 2018.
Until then they will continue their training in Selby as they prepare to take on the best barrel racers in the world.