Supernova Productions put on Alberta, Canada’s largest independently produced barrel race, August 6-11 at Wetaskiwin Agri Grounds where Tiany Schuster won the 1D.
Featuring a chance to win a 2024 Dodge Ram 3500 donated by Vermilion Chrysler, the one-of-a-kind barrel race is produced outside in a week of different pools, including futurity, derby, youth and open classes to run in all with a chance at making it to Showdown Sunday. The format is ideal for barrel racers who want to attend rodeos throughout the week and weekend as well.
Tiany’s Time: Tiany Schuster Wins 1D Championship
Professional barrel racer Tiany Schuster of Krum, Texas, did just that, capitalizing on the profitable barrel race with her slew of successful horses in between her quest at the 2024 National Finals Rodeo.
Currently sitting ninth in the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association’s world standings with $98,503.27, Schuster is well on her way to Vegas at the end of the 2024 pro rodeo season.
The veteran NFR qualifier ventured to Canada in May for the Calgary Stampede Qualifier. She spent her summer between the Northwest and Canada, where she also qualified for the Canadian Finals Rodeo in October.
Schuster won the first round of Pool B with a 17.547 and $2,486 on 5-year-old gelding Admire My Fame, better known as “J2,” a full sibling to Schuster’s beloved JJ Carrizzo Firebug.
A futurity horse last year, J2 has limited runs under his belt, but Schuster calls him “dirty fast” and fun for her to run.
The 2019 sorrel derby horse backed it up on Showdown Sunday, turning in a time of 16.988, winning $750 and a key fob to a 2024 Dodge Ram 3500 donated by Vermilion Chrysler.
Not only was Schuster crowned the 1D Champion, but she also placed second in the Showdown on Shines By Design with a 16.991 and third on Show Mance with a 17.005. In true Tiany fashion, J2 and Shines by Design broke the arena record.
Schuster ended the weekend as the third-highest money earner of the event, cashing out over $14,063 on her incredible group of talented equine athletes.
Start Me Up: Jordan Branden and Super Starlight Zara Crowned Big Bang Barrel Race 4D Champions and 2024 Dodge Ram 3500 Winners.
A mom, team roper, and barrel racer, Jordan Branden wears many hats. She and her family live on a ranch in Northern Alberta, Canada, raising horses and a large herd of cows. On the weekends, you can find Branden and her husband at amateur rodeos throughout Canada.
“I started team roping at the rodeos, which led to starting barrel racing when I was 20,” Branden said.
Initially riding Super Starlight Zara as a consignment horse, Branden purchased the eight-year-old mare in June as a project horse to rope and run barrels on.
“We weren’t looking for a horse at the time, but both my husband and I liked “Zara,” so we decided to go ahead and buy her ourselves,” Branden admitted.
Branden explained that the format of the Big Bang Barrel Race played a significant role in her decision to run in it this year.
“I had been to the Big Bang Barrel Race in years past, and AJ goes above and beyond with the production. I appreciate the format, which allows you to go home or go to a rodeo between your runs and the short go on Sunday. In my case, I had a wedding to go to on Saturday in between the runs,” Branden said.
Branden admitted that she had higher expectations for Zara throughout the week as the new team navigated the challenges of seasoning a green horse, especially at a big barrel race like the Big Bang.
“We had a nice run in the first round with just a little bobble in the second, and then the same mistake was amplified slightly more in the second round. When I showed up for the finals on Sunday, I just had it in my mind that I wanted to have a smooth, confidence-boosting run for both Zara and me. I was thrilled with how she did at the short-go that day,” Branden explained.
Branden and Zara turned in a time of 19.042 at Showdown Sunday as the Big Bang Barrel Race 4D Champions, earning $750 and a key fob to a 2024 Dodge Ram 3500 donated by Vermilion Chrysler.
While the 1D, 2D, and 3D winners also gathered around, Branden was the first to draw for her key fob and set it off. The alarm went off immediately, signaling she was the truck winner.
“It made it that much more special that my kids got to be there with me in that moment, too,” Branden said.
Branden and her team of horses additionally won under $2,000 in total earnings at the 2024 Big Bang Barrel Race.
“It’s just a phenomenal opportunity to win the 4D and a brand new truck,” Branden said. “AJ has put her heart and soul into this barrel race, making it one of the biggest in Canada. The ground is amazing, especially for an outdoor barrel race with so many entries, and there are so many different opportunities to win money throughout the pools, side pots, and the short-go.”
Branden thanks her family for their support in helping her with her kids and horses. Branden also thanks AJ and Supernova Productions for their hard work producing the Big Bang Barrel Race and the opportunities it brings for barrel racers in Canada.
This article was originally published in the October 2024 issue of Barrel Horse News.
