MOSES LAKE - The Central Washington University (CWU) Rodeo Team is holding its annual 4-D barrel race fundraising event Saturday at the Grant County Fair Grounds from 9 a.m. to noon.

Miranda Frank, an avid rodeo enthusiast from Moses Lake, is one of the main principles organizing the event.

"This is the second of three races we'll be putting on," she said. "The first race was held October 29, and the last race of the series will take place February 25."

Although Frank is but a junior at CWU, she's more than capable of organizing the fundraiser, as she's had plenty of barrel racing experience.

"I've been doing it since I was big enough to sit on a horse," she said. "But I wasn't planning to continue racing once I started college. My dad wanted me to, and since Central has a decent rodeo program, he convinced me to do so."

Tami Deines, from Soap Lake, is also a member of the racing team who will be participating in the event. She was first exposed to barrel racing as a member of the Columbia Basin Rodeo Club, has raced with the Eastern Washington Junior Rodeo, the Washington State High School Rodeo, and is a Pro West member.

The barrel racing registration fee is $20 per horse and rider. The winner of the event will receive a saddle made by Scott Thomas with Cactus Saddlery, which will be presented at the end of series.

The proceeds from the fundraiser will used in part to finance the CWU rodeo in April and cover the teams entry fees to the event that Frank said could cost as much as $300, depending on how many events each person enters.

"We are the only university in the NW region that has a rodeo program, but its not considered a varsity sport so we have to come up with the money to pay for the event," she said. "Last year we raised almost $11,000."

Cascade Diesel in Moses Lake and Anderson Hay in Ellensburg are sponsors of the barrel racing fundraiser.

"They typically donate between 500 and 1,000 dollars," Frank said. "That helps cover the cost of the saddle and the use of the arena where the events are staged. They also get to put their names on the saddle."

Last years saddle winner was Lindsey Schulz from Moses Lake.

The theme of Saturday's event is "Ugly Sweater," so entrants will be able to turn and burn while looking stylish in their favorite holiday garment.

For more information on the barrel racing fundraiser, contact call Miranda Frank at (509) 989-5081 or by email at [email protected].