Grandma Vicky and Perks Fame Aint Easy for the Win!

Submitted by Tammy Rudningen

Photos by Al Braunworth

 

Minnesota NBHA State Finals 2023 was a real hit!  It just seems to get bigger and better each and every year.  This year over $50k in cash and prizes were awarded to over 200 contestants during the four-day August event.

The R & J Events Center in Verndale, MN filled quickly as contestants, friends and family rolled in with big dreams and high hopes in mind.  The barrel race is the main attraction, but participants of all ages always look forward to the little extras that happen throughout the event.

Brand new this year was the first MN NBHA Stallion Incentive side pot.  This grass roots incentive included nine area stallions.  Any participant riding offspring sired by any of the enrolled stallions simply signed up for this free side pot upon registering for State Finals.  Batmans Wildflower sired by Tac Ta Fame and rider Alexa Ecklund took home the $450 check with their fast times in the side pot average.  This unique NBHA incentive hit the ground running and everybody is excited to see this side pot grow!

This family friendly event always includes special moments and events for people of all ages.  Friday Games Night is always popular with the younger crowd.  A scavenger hunt, lots of crazy relays and the ever-popular dog races were a real hit!  All reports indicate that a good time was had by all!  For the older crowd there were many happy tears as fans watched longtime member Molly Skeesick and her loyal mount Cody Mo make an emotional “last run together.”  This team officially retired after being together for nearly three decades.  Together Molly and Cody Mo have nearly a century of ageless wisdom that is shared between them.  Molly and her contagious barrel racing spirit will surely be welcome to return as a cheering fan at upcoming events.

 

Youth Champion Faren Bebeau closed out her youth eligibility with a big win on Flashing Silk.   It was an emotional win for Faren and the mare she calls “Gigi.”  She quickly celebrated her win, gathered her cash and prizes and immediately jumped in the car to whisk off to college orientation. 

Luann Vandergon took home raised LVSpecialkindafame to the winner’s circle by clocking the fastest time in the Senior class. This too, was an emotional win for this team.  Just a few years earlier Luann had brought another mare with her baby filly at her side to the run at the event.  She took time to show the young filly the sites as she dreamed about this little one winning the race when she got bigger.  The little filly that is now known as “Royal” did just that with this speedy run!  

 

The emotional highlight happened during the Open when three generations of barrel racers entered the same event.  Grandma outran everyone to be awarded the title of 1D Champion!  Daughter Carrie Schiotz and granddaughter Grace Nordick shed tears of pure joy as Grandma Vicky Arntson crossed the timeline with a smoking hot run aboard Perks Fame Aint Easy.  

MN NBHA State 1D Champion Vicky Arnston in her own words:

“My State Finals this year was like no other. I have been competing with my daughter Carrie Schiotz and granddaughter Grace Nordick for a long time, but this one was a special one. I would be riding a new horse named Perks Fame Ain’t Easy that was trained by Carrie.  This mare has a ton of heart and grit.  We call her “Easy” and she was a rockstar for me at State Finals! Grace surprised me with a very special western shirt that was made with my late son Jake’s car on it.  Each of us wore them with angel wings on our backs as we ran.  All three of us and our angel wings made it to the Short Go on Sunday. When I ran in the Short Go that was the fastest I had ever run in this arena.  To be honest, it is the fastest I have ever run anywhere! I had tears of joy and so did Carrie and Grace as I left the alley after my run.  The look on their faces will forever be embedded in my mind. I think this was the first time all three of us have competed in the Short Go at the same time.  Competing in this sport with my family is awesome! I will forever be grateful for their support and the support of my NBHA family.  My NBHA barrel racing family is simply the best!”

And a little extra encouragement from Grandma Vicky in her own words:  ”Dreams: I have always dreamed that I would love to win a division but I never thought I was good enough to do so.  But Carrie and Grace and my very best friend Rhonda Amundson never let me give up. So, to all of you who think you are not good enough be reminded that we are our own worst enemy.  So never give up and keep dreaming because one day it can really happen. It did for me, and it can for you!”

The MN Directors say thank you to all participants, friends and family that volunteered their time and efforts to make this event possible.  Go to www.mnnbha.com for a full list of results, stallion incentive details, event sponsors and more.