Article & photos by Nancy Brannon
It’s never good news to get a diagnosis of cancer. But the spirit-lifting news comes with the outpouring of the support by hundreds of people who come to a fundraiser to help offset the expenses of all the medical treatment that the disease requires.
The John Read Foster Extravaganza Benefit Barrel Race was set for June 21-23, 2019 at the Show Place Arena, Memphis, TN. “Join the barrel racing community in love and support of an industry icon,” the show flyer exhorted, including some financial incentives: $10,000 added!
The idea for a barrel racing fundraiser for Mr. Foster came from John Laws, who approached Show Place Arena Manager and barrel race organizer Jamie White with the idea. With the help of several others, Jamie took the idea and ran with it. “We ended up with a great weekend of barrel racing,” said Jamie’s wife Katie White. The Benefit Barrel Race raised over $25,000, White said.
Friday night was the $1,000 added Big Bucks 4D Race, which Quay Eaves of Louisville, MS and HF Really Famous won in a time 14.660 seconds. Second was Elaina McKinney of Carbondale, IL and WRS Cool Memories; time 14.889
Saturday began with the 10 & Under racers, followed by the $2,000 added 2D 4-year-old Futurity. The big event of Saturday was the $3,000 added Open 4D, starting at noon.
In the 10 and Under class, Kinzlee Jones of Shawnee, OK on Red Roan was the winner in a time of 15.862. Foster got to see his grandson Case Wininger of Hendersonville, TN win the 3D on Lucy; time 19.222
Saturday’s Open 4D winner was Jennifer Barron of Trenton, TN on AirBorn Crush; time 14.676. Quay Eaves and HF Really Famous were second with a time of 14.789.
Sunday began with Church Service with Roger Stone, and then the main event of the day was the $3,000 added Open 4D. Elaina McKinney was in the winner’s spotlight with WRS Cool Memories, winning in the fastest time of the weekend: 14.582. She also won the Youth 3D Sidepot and the Saturday Youth 3D Sidepot with a time of 14.829.
Jimmy Cagle of Fayetteville, TN dominated the Sunday’s Masters, winning on LibbysontheLabel; time 14.830, and placing second on Figure Im Special; time 14.892.
About John Read Foster:
Foster has been raising, training, and selling barrel racing Quarter Horses for over 50 years. He’s done it all in the horse world – an owner, trainer, broker, stallion owner, breeder, and event producer. His wife Zelda has supported his never-ending quest for the next best barrel racing horse, and he has raised three daughters in the business: Tracy Boles, Katy Shirley, and Jonna Foster. Now he gets to watch his grandchildren keep the tradition going.
He got the love of horses from his maternal grandfather, who was also a horse trader. Foster also owns Bluegrass Truck and Trailer Sales, so trades vehicles and trailers in addition to horses.
In 1961 Foster first got interested in barrel racing horses when he traded two ponies for his first Quarter Horse.
In 1967 his mare foaled a stud colt named Howie Bars. He broke the colt as a two-year-old, but sold the horse at age three to buy his beloved Zelda an engagement ring. He never regretted buying the ring, but he did regret selling the horse. In 1971 he bought back the horse, who he would ride to win the AQHA high point barrel horse of the year in 1971, 1972, and 1974. That was the start of an over five decades-long career with barrel racing Quarter Horses. Foster emphasizes good conformation in his horses and he has a gift for finding top horses.
Foster’s children did some research to piece together a list of all the horses he’s had a hand in making their success. The “short list” is 36 horses long. “Growing up he always made sure that we were well mounted and at least one would get us in the winner’s circle. Daddy has a competitive streak and loves to win. In my mind, what truly makes him stand out is that he gets just as much satisfaction and excitement when someone he loves or a horse he owned wind. Daddy has inspired so many people and the stories will live long after us. He is the true definition of a Legend!”
Results:
All results posted here: https://tnibra.myonlineentry.com/john-read-foster-extravaganza-results/
Friday Night Big Bucks Open 4D
Winner: Quay Eaves of Louisville, MS and HF Really Famous; time 14.660
2nd: Elaina McKinney of Carbondale, IL and WRS Cool Memories; time 14.889
Saturday 10 & Under
Winner: Kinzlee Jones of Shawnee, OK on Red Roan; time 15.862
3D winner: Case Wininger of Hendersonville, TN on Lucy; time 19.222
Saturday Open 4D
Winner: Jennifer Barron of Trenton, TN on AirBorn Crush; time 14.676. Quay Eaves and HF Really Famous were second with a time of 14.789.
Saturday Youth 3D Sidepot
Winner: Elaina McKinney and WRS Cool Memories; time 14.829
Saturday Adult 3D Sidepot
Winner: Shelby Stewart of Cottontown, TN on HF Bully the Kid; time 14.821
Sunday Open 4D
Winner: Elaina McKinney and WRS Cool Memories; time 14.582
Sunday Youth 3D Sidepot
Winner: Elaina McKinney and WRS Cool Memories; time 14.582
Sunday Adult 3D Sidepot
Winner: Blaise Bercegeay of Summit, MS on Runnin For A Title; time 14.922
Sunday Masters
Winner: Jimmy Cagle of Fayetteville, TN on LibbysontheLabel; time 14.830
Second: Jimmy Cagle on Figure Im Special; time 14.892
Average
Top riders for the weekend were:
First in 1D: Elaina McKinney and WRS Cool Memories; time 14.7055
Second 1D: Quay Eaves and HF Really Famous; time 14.8675
Third 1D: Jennifer Barron on AirBorn Crush; time 14.8785
It’s never good news to get a diagnosis of cancer. But the spirit-lifting news comes with the outpouring of the support by hundreds of people who come to a fundraiser to help offset the expenses of all the medical treatment that the disease requires.
The John Read Foster Extravaganza Benefit Barrel Race was set for June 21-23, 2019 at the Show Place Arena, Memphis, TN. “Join the barrel racing community in love and support of an industry icon,” the show flyer exhorted, including some financial incentives: $10,000 added!
The idea for a barrel racing fundraiser for Mr. Foster came from John Laws, who approached Show Place Arena Manager and barrel race organizer Jamie White with the idea. With the help of several others, Jamie took the idea and ran with it. “We ended up with a great weekend of barrel racing,” said Jamie’s wife Katie White. The Benefit Barrel Race raised over $25,000, White said.
Friday night was the $1,000 added Big Bucks 4D Race, which Quay Eaves of Louisville, MS and HF Really Famous won in a time 14.660 seconds. Second was Elaina McKinney of Carbondale, IL and WRS Cool Memories; time 14.889
Saturday began with the 10 & Under racers, followed by the $2,000 added 2D 4-year-old Futurity. The big event of Saturday was the $3,000 added Open 4D, starting at noon.
In the 10 and Under class, Kinzlee Jones of Shawnee, OK on Red Roan was the winner in a time of 15.862. Foster got to see his grandson Case Wininger of Hendersonville, TN win the 3D on Lucy; time 19.222
Saturday’s Open 4D winner was Jennifer Barron of Trenton, TN on AirBorn Crush; time 14.676. Quay Eaves and HF Really Famous were second with a time of 14.789.
Sunday began with Church Service with Roger Stone, and then the main event of the day was the $3,000 added Open 4D. Elaina McKinney was in the winner’s spotlight with WRS Cool Memories, winning in the fastest time of the weekend: 14.582. She also won the Youth 3D Sidepot and the Saturday Youth 3D Sidepot with a time of 14.829.
Jimmy Cagle of Fayetteville, TN dominated the Sunday’s Masters, winning on LibbysontheLabel; time 14.830, and placing second on Figure Im Special; time 14.892.
About John Read Foster:
Foster has been raising, training, and selling barrel racing Quarter Horses for over 50 years. He’s done it all in the horse world – an owner, trainer, broker, stallion owner, breeder, and event producer. His wife Zelda has supported his never-ending quest for the next best barrel racing horse, and he has raised three daughters in the business: Tracy Boles, Katy Shirley, and Jonna Foster. Now he gets to watch his grandchildren keep the tradition going.
He got the love of horses from his maternal grandfather, who was also a horse trader. Foster also owns Bluegrass Truck and Trailer Sales, so trades vehicles and trailers in addition to horses.
In 1961 Foster first got interested in barrel racing horses when he traded two ponies for his first Quarter Horse.
In 1967 his mare foaled a stud colt named Howie Bars. He broke the colt as a two-year-old, but sold the horse at age three to buy his beloved Zelda an engagement ring. He never regretted buying the ring, but he did regret selling the horse. In 1971 he bought back the horse, who he would ride to win the AQHA high point barrel horse of the year in 1971, 1972, and 1974. That was the start of an over five decades-long career with barrel racing Quarter Horses. Foster emphasizes good conformation in his horses and he has a gift for finding top horses.
Foster’s children did some research to piece together a list of all the horses he’s had a hand in making their success. The “short list” is 36 horses long. “Growing up he always made sure that we were well mounted and at least one would get us in the winner’s circle. Daddy has a competitive streak and loves to win. In my mind, what truly makes him stand out is that he gets just as much satisfaction and excitement when someone he loves or a horse he owned wind. Daddy has inspired so many people and the stories will live long after us. He is the true definition of a Legend!”
Results:
All results posted here: https://tnibra.myonlineentry.com/john-read-foster-extravaganza-results/
Friday Night Big Bucks Open 4D
Winner: Quay Eaves of Louisville, MS and HF Really Famous; time 14.660
2nd: Elaina McKinney of Carbondale, IL and WRS Cool Memories; time 14.889
Saturday 10 & Under
Winner: Kinzlee Jones of Shawnee, OK on Red Roan; time 15.862
3D winner: Case Wininger of Hendersonville, TN on Lucy; time 19.222
Saturday Open 4D
Winner: Jennifer Barron of Trenton, TN on AirBorn Crush; time 14.676. Quay Eaves and HF Really Famous were second with a time of 14.789.
Saturday Youth 3D Sidepot
Winner: Elaina McKinney and WRS Cool Memories; time 14.829
Saturday Adult 3D Sidepot
Winner: Shelby Stewart of Cottontown, TN on HF Bully the Kid; time 14.821
Sunday Open 4D
Winner: Elaina McKinney and WRS Cool Memories; time 14.582
Sunday Youth 3D Sidepot
Winner: Elaina McKinney and WRS Cool Memories; time 14.582
Sunday Adult 3D Sidepot
Winner: Blaise Bercegeay of Summit, MS on Runnin For A Title; time 14.922
Sunday Masters
Winner: Jimmy Cagle of Fayetteville, TN on LibbysontheLabel; time 14.830
Second: Jimmy Cagle on Figure Im Special; time 14.892
Average
Top riders for the weekend were:
First in 1D: Elaina McKinney and WRS Cool Memories; time 14.7055
Second 1D: Quay Eaves and HF Really Famous; time 14.8675
Third 1D: Jennifer Barron on AirBorn Crush; time 14.8785
