Mission Valley barrel racers compete in Great Falls
BERL TISKUS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 month AGO
Sharon Guenzler races barrels at the 2026 Glacier Barrel Bash this summer. Barrel racers took on the state finals at the Montana Barrel Horse Association in Great Falls earlier this month. (Courtesy photo)
Reporter Berl Tiskus joined the Lake County Leader team in early March 2023, and covers Ronan City Council, schools, ag and business. Berl grew up on a ranch in Wyoming and earned a degree in English education from MSU-Billings and a degree in elementary education from the University of Montana. Since moving to Polson three decades ago, she’s worked as a substitute teacher, a reporter for the Valley Journal and a secretary for Lake County Extension. | October 15, 2026 12:00 AM
More than 280 barrel racers converged at Montana ExpoPark in Great Falls from Oct. 2-4 for the state finals of the Montana Barrel Horse Association, including several Mission Valley riders.
The sure-enough Montana event boasted plenty of fancy and not-so-fancy trailers, good lookin’ horses, lots of dogs and little kids playing in the dirt as riders packed water, filled hay nets, saddled their steeds and warmed them up for the competition.
As for the goal of the whole operation, the MBHA website said the organization aims to “increase the number of participants, improve the quality of shows and enhance the image of barrel racing.” (mbha-state.com)
There are three classes of competition — open, youth/teen (18 years and younger) and senior (50 years and older). All levels of expertise are welcome.
The Mission Valley was well represented. Jessica Bagnell, Effie Clairmont, Cambri Guenzler, Sharon Guenzler, Emma Ibsen, Shelby Jensen, Leticia Leon, Natalee Leon, Tiffany Learn, Hallie Sohr Nelson, Tammy Stedman, Sierra Symington, Yvette Vega, and Kimberly Zempel all took turns in the arena.
“Our district runs clear from Arlee to the Canadian border,” said Ronan participant Sharon Guenzler, who attended with granddaughter Cambri.
Cambri, 15, and her grandmother rode DreamnofbnFamous and Sureshot at Fame. The Guenzler duo headed home with a bunch of placings.
Cambri placed in several youth categories, earning fourth in the one-day Sunday run, third in one-day average, second in three-day and youth, and third in two-day average.
Polson contestants Leticia Leon, 15, astride Cash, and Natalee Leon, 10, with her horse CD, were relatively new to can chasin’. Natalee finished in sixth place in the 4D jackpot on Sunday.
Their mom, Justine, likes the MBHA because there are “little three-year old girls to seniors 60 or more. Everyone is super supportive and cheers for everybody.”
Charlo resident Tammy Stedman took home a saddle.
Results are posted on Facebook under Montana Barrel Horse Association.
Sharon Guenzler results
Saturday open second in 3D
Saturday senior second in 3D
Sunday senior second in 2D
Senior avg. senior third
ARTICLES BY BERL TISKUS
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