POLSON - Barrel racers and their horses kicked off the first of a four-part open barrel racing series covering western Montana with a two-run series at the Polson Fairgrounds last Saturday.

The Southwest Youth Rodeo Association hosted the event, which include Open and Youth barrel racing. Limited results were available at press time.

This competition was limited to two runs of barrels, and the group will hold its second "End of Summer" open barrel racing in Ronan on Aug. 14, beginning at 9 a.m. A youth rodeo will follow at the Ronan Fairgrounds arena on Sunday, Aug. 15, starting at 11 a.m.

The SYRA includes categories for youth aged 7-and-under, 8-10, 11-13, 14-18 and open. Events include traditional rodeo events of barrel racing, pole bending, goat tying, breakaway roping and others.

Local youth do not need to be members to participate in the Ronan rodeo.

Other SYRA rodeos will be held Aug. 18 in Deer Lodge and Sept. 2 in Hamilton.

For more information about SYRA, call Peggy at 406-693-2433 or Martha at 406-676-8189.

Barrel racing results

Run 1

Open

1D - 1) Yvette Fangsrud, Pablo, 18.091

2D - 1) Taylor Lynch, Ronan, 19.401

3D - 1) Gary McFarland, Hamilton, 20.306

Youth

1D - 1) Durbin Watson, 18.123

2D - 1) Taylor Lynch, Ronan, 19.129

Run 2

Open

1D - 1) Dawn Odom, Darby, 17.476

2D - 1) Marjorie Schall (on Judy Mylimaki's horse), Arlee, 18.552

3D - 1) Gary McFarland, Hamilton, 19.633

Youth

1D - 1) Durbin Watson, 18.177, 2) Garrett Smith, Deer Lodge, 18.328