Saturday we attended the IBRA barrel race at Rural Mount Arena in Morristown, Tn. It is a great indoor facility owned and run by Jonathan "Dynamite" Rich and his father Dana. The 160x240 covered arena is an excellent facility for equine events. I talked with Dynamite and he shared with me what drove him to put so much hard work into this facility. Dynamite's father, Dana fell in love with horses as a teen and started training work horses on the farm. As a teen Dana started to trade horses. Dynamite grew up around horses used to work on the farm but when he was in middle school he began to train riding horses. Then he met Johnny Miller a rodeo steer wrestler. Dynamite said "he took me under his wing and hauled me to rodeos". Dynamite learned to steer wrestle and rope and helped to form a high school rodeo team in Morristown, Tn. The group of 13 kids held 2 rodeos each year and used the money to help pay their way to the National High School Rodeo Finals in Farmington, New Mexico. As a senior Dynamite suffered a serious injury to his leg that required surgery and ended his bulldogging career. He then focused on his roping skills. The dream to have an indoor riding facitliy began during this high school rodeo career and came to realization 6 years ago when he built Rural Mount Arena.
The arena host many events each year from IBRA barrel races, Bulls and Barrels youth rodeo, team ropings, ranch sortings and bull ridings. Dynamite also trains horses and gives lessons at the arena. He opens the arena on Tuesday nights to ropers and it is open every other day during the week for anyone to come and ride. Dynamite is excited about bull riding events that are scheduled for this winter. He expects to have as many as 2,500 spectators on hand. Check out the Rural Mount website for more information.
Dynamite said his goal is to continue to have some big annual events at the arena as well as smaller shows. He wants to always be able to provide a quality facility at a reasonable fee so that smaller clubs can afford to hold their events. Dynamite said "I hope someday to not have to charge admission. That is another exhibition run some kid can make".
It doesn't take long talking to Dynamite to see that this is all about his love for horses and people that. Please visit the Rural Mount Arena website for more information and stop by and see Dana and Dynamite. www.ruralmountarena.net
The IBRA barrel race was a great success with 61 entries in the open 4-D class won by Jan Blankenship and Sherman. 2) Christina Tippett and Redman 3) Terry Carson and Bo 4)Jessica Gilbert and Strawlee. Second division winner was Jade Snowden riding Margarita 2) Kevin Watercutter and Drummer 3)Jewel Gesler and Miracle of Money 4) Chris Miller and Boo. Third division 1st to Cullen Ratliff 2) Nancy Thomas and Barney 3) Amber Cox and The Medicine Woman 4) Jackie Shipley and Chick. Fourth division winner was Callie Larue 2) Jamie Grey 3)Terri Collins on Ribbon of Honor and 4)Adam Douglas on Hornet.
The youth class included 18 entries with Holly Dye winning the first division, Lizzy Greene coming in second and Chase Trent in third. Second division winner was Alicia Ritter on Gabe 2) Connor Lampkin and Say You. Third division was won by Shelby Johnson and 2) Connor Lampkin and Clyde Mo Glide.
Masters results are as follows first division winner Larry Phipps and Arlene Money Rules 2) was a tie between Theresa Sloan on Howies Jet and Jan Blankenship riding Sherman. Second division winner was John Bays and Son of a Gooder 2) Scott Carter. Third division winner John Sowders and Sallee's Redman 2)Jackie Shipley and Chick.
Check out tomorrows blog for pictures from Saturday and results from the Kentucky IBRA State Show.
