Brian Wheeler, Marne Loosenort and Taycie Matthews take top honors at the Ashley Brooks Memorial Barrel Race.
The annual Ashley Brooks Memorial Barrel Race has been held for the past five years in honor of barrel racer and all-around rodeo cowgirl Ashley Brooks, who passed unexpectedly in 2019. Proceeds from the race benefit the Ashley Brooks Memorial Scholarship Fund to help other young barrel racers pursue an education.
Between Youth classes and Open races, plus the banner Harry Blackwell Memorial Derby, Betty Leek Memorial 5 and Under Futurity and the Barrel Futurities of America 4-Year-Old Futurity, 1,488 entries ran for more than $134,000 in total payout for a cause dear to many hearts.
Brian Wheeler won the Betty Leek Memorial 5 And Under Futurity average with a 29.989 on 2020 gelding Designer Legs (Slick By Design x Legsgonewild x Tres Seis), worth $2,661. The duo ran a 15.056 for seventh in the first round for $665 and then won the second round with a 14.933, worth $1,995. Photo by Puhl’s Photography.Marne Loosenort rode 2021 mare SGL Rockette (The Goodbye Lane x Favorite Snowflake x Favorite Cartel) to the BFA 4-Year-Old Futurity average victory, worth $1,113, with two times of 14.988 and 15.184 for an average of 30.172. The pair also finished as reserve champions in the Betty Leek Memorial Futurity for $2,217. Photo by Puhl’s Photography.Taycie Matthews topped the one-header Harry Blackwell Memorial Derby for $4,159 with a 14.582 on 2017 mare Fame Fire Rocks (Firewaterontherocks x W R Aces Fame x Dash Ta Fame). The time rolled to win Friday’s Open for $2,057, and the duo also won Wednesday’s Open race with a 14.749, worth $635. Photo by Puhl’s Photography.
This article was originally published in the March 2025 issue of Barrel Horse News.
