By Steve Short
On race night they ride to win. But come morning they regard one another as family.
That was the story told by several horse riders who traveled from eight states and convened in the small town of Milan, Tennessee to compete in the Emily Prince Memorial World Flag Race in mid-July, 2013. This was the tenth year for the flag race event in Milan.
Riders competing at Milan came from Tennessee, Arkansas, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Mississippi, Indiana and Kentucky. Over 550 riders participated during the weekend of July 19-20, including 163 training participants and 65 youth barrel riders. There were 40 riders in flag races and 30 riders in the pole races.
Tami Denton, an Illinois native now living near Milan has competed in the local race for eight years. This year she won the 2-D barrel race and took home a $486 cash prize. Her husband, James Denton, a Milan native, is a four-time world champion.
“The fellowship time with people and the thrill of the competition are the things I love about racing,” said Ms. Denton. “You love everybody. It’s a family. We may argue and spat with each other from time to time, but if something happened to somebody out here, everybody would be here right away to help.”
Sara Crocker, an east Tennessee resident, traveled to Milan to compete for the second year. “I think it’s a wonderful event,” she said. “They do a good job. I look forward to the fellowship with people even more than I do barrel racing.”
“Every year it’s gotten bigger,” said director David Prince, father of the late Emily Prince for whom the memorial race is named. The World Championship Flag Race was moved from Mount Vernon, Illinois to Milan in 2003. The barrel races have been held since 2005 in memory of Emily, an avid barrel racer from the Milan area who died in a four-wheeler accident in 2004 at the age of 22.
“We want to thank the city of Milan for allowing us to have this at the City Park,” said Mr. Prince. “This is our tenth year. Barrel racing is more popular and getting bigger every year. Everywhere you go you see more and more people doing it.”
“There’s a huge group from Illinois who come every year,” added Tami Denton. “It’s amazing what this show does for the town in a week. Lots of the local stores were busy.”
Pickup trucks and fancy horse trailers filled the Milan City Park several days during the event. Tommy Goosetree and his 10-year old daughter, Molly, traveled from Benton, Illinois to compete.
“The competition is pretty good; we try to hit the tougher barrel races,” said Mr. Goosetree who began competitive riding at age five. “We go all summer. Milan is one of a handful of events in the summer that you want to go to. You get really comfortable with the people who go to the shows. You know their kids, and they know your kids. I see these people way more than I see some of my own family.”
John Soladine, an Indiana native now living in Hopkinsville, KY had three generations of his family at the Milan show, including three-year-old grandson, Cole Grace.
“I brought my kids up on riding, and now they’re bringing up their own kids with it,” he said. “I’ve been coming to Milan every year but one. It’s a super nice showcase. I like just getting with this group of people. It’s a super tight knit group. You’ve got friends from four or five states who get together.”
Soladine said he estimated there were only 75 people now regularly competing in flag race events in all of North America. He said about forty of those competed at Milan. Flag racing has declined because of fuel prices and other costs, he said. But barrel racing appears to be gaining in popularity.
Soladine proudly displayed a framed mirror with a cross and horseshoe that was crafted by Melinda Townsend of Milan. The mirror was framed with barn lumber and engraved with the words, “Life in the fast lane.” It was one of several craft items sold during auctions to raise money for prizes at the Milan show. “Melinda’s super at crafting things and a super nice person,” said Soladine.
Amanda Cupples, who previously lived in West Tennessee, but now resides in Hazel, KY, helped with the Milan auction sale and said her family enjoys the atmosphere at the show every year. Her daughter, Taylor enjoyed the Kiddie Barrel Races, which drew a large crowd of young folks.
“We have a ball, and our whole family comes up from Memphis to visit with each other,” said Ms. Cupples.
Rainy weather this year forced the cancellation of some events, including the Open Pole Bending Race and the Saturday Speed Race.
Winners on Friday night included Tammy Wonders (Flag Race) and Katie Brown (Open Barrels Race). Tyler Prince of Gibson, TN won the Friday Speed Race, and after Saturday’s race was cancelled due to rain, Mr. Prince, the brother of the late Emily Prince, was given a first place medal by his Dad, David Prince, the Milan race director.
EMILY PRINCE MEMORIAL BARREL RACES WINNERS:
1-D
1st- Trevor Pruitt- 15.124, $945.00+ saddle
2nd-Katie Brown 15.341, $708.00
3rd-Chris Dodd 15.447, $472.00
4th-Tommy Goosetree 15.581, $236.00
2-D
Tami Denton 15.633, $486.00+ Halter
Courtney Hixon 15.643, $365.00
Candice Hill 15.665, $304.00
Jessica Lanier 15.670, $243.00
Jeff Byassee 15.688, $203.00
Becky Sexton 15.697, $162.00
Derek Hixon 15.703, $142.00
McKenna Cox 15.733, $122.00
3-D
Jennifer Springer 16.127, $324.00+ Halter
Vanessa Jo Lewis 16.146. $243.00
Dawn Turner 16.168, $203.00
Travis Childress 16.193, $162.00
Jeff Byassee 16.194, $135.00
Lynleigh Butler 16.200, $108.00
Amanda Deaton 16.206, $95.00
Angie Johnson 16.221, $81.00
4-D
Ava Clair Johnson 17.126, $243.00+ Halter
Quay Eaves 17.132, $182.00
Dan Griffith 17.153, $152.00
Sara Proctor 17.203, $122.00
Dennis Brashear 17.204, $101.00
Dawn Turner 17.212, $81.00
Perri Fewell 17.231, $71.00
Brittney Frazee 17.252, $61.00
Youth Flag 10 and under winners: 1-D Ripkin Clenney and 2-D Cameron Kennedy
Youth Flag 10-17 winner: Colton Ozment
Youth Speed 1-D winner: Ripkin Clenney and 2-D Jaylie Shaver
Youth Barrels winners: 1-D Rachel Carrington; 2-D Maria Lewis; 3-D Daylee Barrom; 4-D Katherine Moore
World Flag Race Winner - Tamber Babbler
Reserve Champions - Dan Griffin
Speed Race Champion - Tyler Prince
On race night they ride to win. But come morning they regard one another as family.
That was the story told by several horse riders who traveled from eight states and convened in the small town of Milan, Tennessee to compete in the Emily Prince Memorial World Flag Race in mid-July, 2013. This was the tenth year for the flag race event in Milan.
Riders competing at Milan came from Tennessee, Arkansas, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Mississippi, Indiana and Kentucky. Over 550 riders participated during the weekend of July 19-20, including 163 training participants and 65 youth barrel riders. There were 40 riders in flag races and 30 riders in the pole races.
Tami Denton, an Illinois native now living near Milan has competed in the local race for eight years. This year she won the 2-D barrel race and took home a $486 cash prize. Her husband, James Denton, a Milan native, is a four-time world champion.
“The fellowship time with people and the thrill of the competition are the things I love about racing,” said Ms. Denton. “You love everybody. It’s a family. We may argue and spat with each other from time to time, but if something happened to somebody out here, everybody would be here right away to help.”
Sara Crocker, an east Tennessee resident, traveled to Milan to compete for the second year. “I think it’s a wonderful event,” she said. “They do a good job. I look forward to the fellowship with people even more than I do barrel racing.”
“Every year it’s gotten bigger,” said director David Prince, father of the late Emily Prince for whom the memorial race is named. The World Championship Flag Race was moved from Mount Vernon, Illinois to Milan in 2003. The barrel races have been held since 2005 in memory of Emily, an avid barrel racer from the Milan area who died in a four-wheeler accident in 2004 at the age of 22.
“We want to thank the city of Milan for allowing us to have this at the City Park,” said Mr. Prince. “This is our tenth year. Barrel racing is more popular and getting bigger every year. Everywhere you go you see more and more people doing it.”
“There’s a huge group from Illinois who come every year,” added Tami Denton. “It’s amazing what this show does for the town in a week. Lots of the local stores were busy.”
Pickup trucks and fancy horse trailers filled the Milan City Park several days during the event. Tommy Goosetree and his 10-year old daughter, Molly, traveled from Benton, Illinois to compete.
“The competition is pretty good; we try to hit the tougher barrel races,” said Mr. Goosetree who began competitive riding at age five. “We go all summer. Milan is one of a handful of events in the summer that you want to go to. You get really comfortable with the people who go to the shows. You know their kids, and they know your kids. I see these people way more than I see some of my own family.”
John Soladine, an Indiana native now living in Hopkinsville, KY had three generations of his family at the Milan show, including three-year-old grandson, Cole Grace.
“I brought my kids up on riding, and now they’re bringing up their own kids with it,” he said. “I’ve been coming to Milan every year but one. It’s a super nice showcase. I like just getting with this group of people. It’s a super tight knit group. You’ve got friends from four or five states who get together.”
Soladine said he estimated there were only 75 people now regularly competing in flag race events in all of North America. He said about forty of those competed at Milan. Flag racing has declined because of fuel prices and other costs, he said. But barrel racing appears to be gaining in popularity.
Soladine proudly displayed a framed mirror with a cross and horseshoe that was crafted by Melinda Townsend of Milan. The mirror was framed with barn lumber and engraved with the words, “Life in the fast lane.” It was one of several craft items sold during auctions to raise money for prizes at the Milan show. “Melinda’s super at crafting things and a super nice person,” said Soladine.
Amanda Cupples, who previously lived in West Tennessee, but now resides in Hazel, KY, helped with the Milan auction sale and said her family enjoys the atmosphere at the show every year. Her daughter, Taylor enjoyed the Kiddie Barrel Races, which drew a large crowd of young folks.
“We have a ball, and our whole family comes up from Memphis to visit with each other,” said Ms. Cupples.
Rainy weather this year forced the cancellation of some events, including the Open Pole Bending Race and the Saturday Speed Race.
Winners on Friday night included Tammy Wonders (Flag Race) and Katie Brown (Open Barrels Race). Tyler Prince of Gibson, TN won the Friday Speed Race, and after Saturday’s race was cancelled due to rain, Mr. Prince, the brother of the late Emily Prince, was given a first place medal by his Dad, David Prince, the Milan race director.
EMILY PRINCE MEMORIAL BARREL RACES WINNERS:
1-D
1st- Trevor Pruitt- 15.124, $945.00+ saddle
2nd-Katie Brown 15.341, $708.00
3rd-Chris Dodd 15.447, $472.00
4th-Tommy Goosetree 15.581, $236.00
2-D
Tami Denton 15.633, $486.00+ Halter
Courtney Hixon 15.643, $365.00
Candice Hill 15.665, $304.00
Jessica Lanier 15.670, $243.00
Jeff Byassee 15.688, $203.00
Becky Sexton 15.697, $162.00
Derek Hixon 15.703, $142.00
McKenna Cox 15.733, $122.00
3-D
Jennifer Springer 16.127, $324.00+ Halter
Vanessa Jo Lewis 16.146. $243.00
Dawn Turner 16.168, $203.00
Travis Childress 16.193, $162.00
Jeff Byassee 16.194, $135.00
Lynleigh Butler 16.200, $108.00
Amanda Deaton 16.206, $95.00
Angie Johnson 16.221, $81.00
4-D
Ava Clair Johnson 17.126, $243.00+ Halter
Quay Eaves 17.132, $182.00
Dan Griffith 17.153, $152.00
Sara Proctor 17.203, $122.00
Dennis Brashear 17.204, $101.00
Dawn Turner 17.212, $81.00
Perri Fewell 17.231, $71.00
Brittney Frazee 17.252, $61.00
Youth Flag 10 and under winners: 1-D Ripkin Clenney and 2-D Cameron Kennedy
Youth Flag 10-17 winner: Colton Ozment
Youth Speed 1-D winner: Ripkin Clenney and 2-D Jaylie Shaver
Youth Barrels winners: 1-D Rachel Carrington; 2-D Maria Lewis; 3-D Daylee Barrom; 4-D Katherine Moore
World Flag Race Winner - Tamber Babbler
Reserve Champions - Dan Griffin
Speed Race Champion - Tyler Prince
