Ashley Brooks Memorial Barrel Race

By Nancy Brannon; photos by Gary Cox

The first annual Ashley Brooks Memorial Barrel Race kicked off at the Show Place Arena in Memphis, Tenn. on Friday February 5, 2020 and ran through Sunday February 7. The Tenn. IBRA-sponsored event raises money for the Ashley Brooks Memorial Scholarship Fund, which was established in 2019 to honor the memory of Ashley Brooks. The $2500 scholarship is awarded annually to one cowgirl or cowboy to be used for any college, university, or trade school to be used for tuition, fees, books, or campus housing. The scholarship is open to high school or home schooled seniors who are active participants in rodeo (or timed events) and have at least a 2.5 GPA.

Ashley Brooks passed away in December 2019. She had been an active member of the UT Martin Rodeo team, participating in barrel racing, breakaway roping, and goat tying events since 2014. She was only one semester away from getting her Master’s degree, was an assistant rodeo team coach, and on full scholarship for the UTM Rodeo team.

This year’s show had to be postponed from its scheduled New Year’s weekend to February, so organizers wondered how well the turnout would be. “It was way more than we expected,” said organizer Katie White, who was Ashley’s step mom. “We had 432 in the Open on Saturday,” she said. Ashley’s brother Tyler was at the show to hand out awards.

So far the show has raised over $10,000, with more pledges still coming in. That will allow the fund to award four $2500 scholarships this year: to two cowgirls and two cowboys. Applications became available on February 22 and the final applications are due May 1.

Next year’s show is scheduled for December 31 – January 2. Find more information on facebook at: Ashley Brooks Rodeo Memorial Scholarship

Weekend winners:

Friday Open 4D (227 entries): Taycie Matthews (Wynn, AR) on Heavens Doosey Daisy: 14.507

Saturday 12 & Under (46 entries): Roany Clendenin (Paris, TN) on French Big Mac: 15.379

Saturday Open 4D (432 entries): Sabra Moore on Sawyers Frosted Moon: 14.469

Saturday Adult Sidepot (78 entries): Billy Hatzman (Cox’s Creek, KY) on Honor Bounds Ghost: 14.529

Saturday Futurity Sidepot (43 entries): Marne Loosenort (Hazel, KY) on Martinis Midnight: 14.931

Saturday Master’s Sidepot (25 entries): Carrie Potashnick (Sikeston, MO) on Perks In The House: 15.344

Saturday Youth Sidepot (99 entries): Sabra Moore on Sawyers Frosted Moon: 14.469

Sunday 12 & Under (28 entries): Sheridan Shumpert (Mooreville, MS) on Frank’s Luckybar: 15.151

Sunday Open 4D (251 entries): Elaina McKinney (Carbondale, IL) on WRS Cool Memories: 14.204

Sunday Adult Sidepot (50 entries): Elaina McKinney (Carbondale, IL) on WRS Cool Memories: 14.204

Sunday Master’s Sidepot (11 entries): Carrie Potashnick (Sikeston, MO) on Perks In The House: 15.021

Sunday Youth Sidepot (61 entries): Katie Jo Keller (Mulberry, AR) on Ima Fiddleplayer Too: 14.839

Elaina McKinney was the Open Average 1D winner with times of 14.672 and 14.204 = 14.438 avg. Elaina also had the fastest time of the weekend on WRS Cool Memories (14.204).

Sheridah Shumpert was first and second in the 12 & Under 1D Average: 15.487 and 15.151 = 15.319; 15.984 and 15.565 = 15.7745