Local riders band together to help young girl in need

Under beautiful, sunny skies on Saturday, the barrel racing community raised more than $2,000 for Pazlee Sheeley at a benefit held at the Cowley Rodeo Grounds. The event called “Pazlee’s Posse” was designed as much to show solidarity with the young girl’s struggle as to raise money.

Fifteen-year-old Sheeley was diagnosed in January with malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) cancer and has spent the last several months fighting the cancer while undergoing rigorous chemotherapy and radiation treatments. 

Many riders participated in a time only event held before the official race, which brought in extra dollars to help this family pay for medical expenses. Barrel racers of all ages participated in the main event with proceeds going to support the Sheeley family. Sheeley herself rode in the 14-18-year-old category. Her sisters Latalee Sheeley and Virginia Lohr raced, as well.

In the age five and under category, Gus Ganoung participated on a horse named Smidge, and Julianne Weinand rode her horse Sunny.

In the category for ages 6-9-years old, Brynlee Eilo had the fastest run on Bell at 21.353, followed by Veda Morgan on Foxy at 25.968, Veda Morgan on Foxy again at 27.439 and Cinch Bischoff on Miss Kitty with no time.

In the ages 10-13 category Kinli Bitton had the fastest time on Buckshot at 19.222, followed by Oakley Bischoff on Baby at 21.134, Taylor Sweet on Jessie 24.171, Nellie Guccion on John at 24.565, Dahlia Lara on Fast Feet Pete at 26.939, Jaci Hamilton on Brownie at 26.955, Nellie Guccion on Lacey at 27.614, Daisy Weinand on Butter at 30.079, Harper Williams on Charging is Trouble at 32.107, Kymber Asay on Minto at 33.166, Lily Fort on Pinto at 36.750. The following riders participated with no time: Latelee Sheeley on Pinto, Elle Ganoung on Trigger, Canyon Weinand and Elizabeth Ganoung on Smidge.

In the 14-18-year old category, Virginia Lohr was the youth buckle winner on a horse named Joe at 17.145, followed by Taylor Sweet on Poppy 17.957, Cami Gernhart  on Kelly 18.147, Virginia Lohr  on Ike 19.262, Xantha Jerome on Cat 19.334, Harly Green on Blue 19.742, Josie Werner on Guy 19.802, Josie Werner on Sandy 19.962, Taylor Cheney on Grey 20.084, Cami Gernhart on Little B 24.993, Ella Pierce on Arrow 26.836, Pazlee Sheeley on Samson 28.344,  and Emmerson Clark and River Ann Mangus with no time recorded.

Virginia Lohr also took the winning buckle on a horse named Joe at 16.869 in the open category for all riders 18 years of age and older, followed by Abigail Eaton on Hot Streaking Express 17.152, Tammy Pollan on Patch 17.405, Tammy Pollan on Wicked 17.458,Tya Krause on Rainy 17.517, Talynn Paul on Cali 17.894, Kristi Merrill on Cosmo 17.926, Mariah Weber on Jess 17.942, Danna Willis on Kit Kat 18.148, Mariah Weber on Trix 18.333, Talynn Paul on Champ 18.342, Sharena Hanshaw on Sheridan 18.495, Kyra Larsen  on Cedar 18.505, Mackenzie Cheney on Stella 18.645, Mackenzie Cheney on Sister 18.668, Callista Jerome on Marshall 18.937, Baylie Mulholland on Pepsi 19.589, Baylie Mulholland again on Lefty 20.293, Dusty Willis on Stitch 20.582, Shelby Willis on Holly 20.876, Charis Bischoff on Skippy 21.631, Katie Bennett on Bravo 22.174, Baylie Mulholland on Glam Cat 23.496, Virginia Lohr on Ike 23.579 and Emmerson Clark with no time recorded.