Mammette Lake cowgirl Katie Garthwaite and her 11-year-old mare Frenchie (FC Guys Prime Time) finished sixth overall in the ladies barrel racing event at the 42nd Canadian Finals Rodeo in Edmonton on the weekend.
Competing at the Rexall Place in the Alberta capital, Garthwaite and her horse parlayed three top-five placings into their best result in two visits to the CFR. In 2013, the talented team placed 11th.
“I had a super, great week — at least a lot better than the last time,” Garthwaite said.
“In the first performance (Wednesday), Frenchie was a little wild going into the first barrel which probably cost me a placing.
“The second performance will probably haunt me for awhile. Frenchie fired so hard that night and turned the first and second barrels so good. She just stepped down one step too soon and barely clipped the third barrel. It was one of those slow motion things. I was telling myself to reach down and try to reset it as I watched the barrel go down.
“That barrel (five second penalty) probably cost me the round win ($12,000) and a qualifying spot for next year’s Calgary Stampede.”
Garthwaite and Frenchie recovered and went on to place fourth in the third performance and earn $2,806.
After an eighth place finish in Saturday’s matinee performance, the twosome closed out the week with second and fourth place finishes and more than $11,000 in prize money.
Garthwaite’s total earnings at CFR42 was $14,653.93.
“All in all, I had a really great week with my family and friends there,” she said. “I feel so thankful to have had the opportunity to compete against the best in Canada. I’m very proud of Frenchie and how hard she tried all week, and so excited to try and do it all again next year.”
