By Blanche Schaefer
Caryn Henry of De Leon Springs, Florida, and homebred Credit Ta Fame rose to the top of 250 finalists at the 2016 National Barrel Horse Association World Championships on October 29, 2016, posting a 14.832 in the open finals to clinch the world championship. Henry took home a check for $4,622, a 4-Star horse trailer, a Gist Silversmiths buckle, an Alamo Saddlery trophy saddle and a host of prizes. Reserve world champion Carl Wise followed closely behind with a 14.846 for $3,467.
“It’s indescribable; it’s a dream come true. I just can’t even express what it means,” Henry said. “I really just was wanting to make a nice smooth run and win a good check; I never dreamed of winning the whole thing.”
Henry and Credit Ta Fame knocked a barrel in the first go but came back to win the second go with a blazing 14.772. One of the last 15 in the finals draw, Henry’s time took the lead, but she worried one of the final barrel racers would surpass her time.
“I didn’t even think my time would hold,” Henry confessed. “When the last 10 ran, I was back there ready to throw up. It was very emotional, because it’s been a long journey with that horse.”
Jennifer Peurrung of O’Brien, Florida, earned 2D world championship honors with a 15.532 on Wonders Mega Cash, pocketing $3,985. Bralie Dorsey and Blue Water Ticket finished reserve with a 15.356 for $2,158. Peurrung and “Mega” are a seasoned team after eight years running barrels together and have won the Florida 08 district 1D title seven years in a row.
“He’s my old faithful—he’s the best horse I’ve ever ran. I gave it all I have, and he did the rest,” Peurrung said. “[Winning the 2D] was a complete surprise; I had no idea. I’m seriously ecstatic.”
Fort White, Florida, barrel racer Charlene Cason captured the 3D world championship with homebred Mr Snazzy Jet. The pair clocked a 15.838 worth $3,348, narrowly edging 3D reserve world champion Emily Ellison and MPJA Moneyman’s 15.847.
“I had to get out of here when there were five runners left to go, because I was winning the 3D then, and I just couldn’t even listen,” Cason said. “He’s ran six times this week doing double-duty in open and senior, but he ran his heart out and was consistent all week.”
NBHA World Championship show veteran Jimmy McManus and ever-consistent Available King won the 4D world title with a 16.351 for $2,711—just 1/100 of a second faster than the 4D reserve world champions, Christian Caldwell and Blingin For Buckles.
The Jefferson, South Carolina, cowboy has seen a great deal of success on “King” since getting the gelding as a project seven years ago.
“Me and my wife have rodeoed since ’69, and I’m 72 now, so I’m just glad to be here,” McManus said. “This horse has been sick for four months, and I’m just now bringing him back. His numbers keep coming down, and he’s consistent most of the time. He was a bad horse when I got him, but I made him good.”
Tim Shook of Greenville, Michigan, not only qualified for his first finals round at the NBHA world championships, but also won the 5D world title and $2,074 with a 16.834 on Zippo Mr Sass. Jayne Lynne earned reserve honors and $1,556 with a 16.89 on Pass Em For Gold.
“Zip” was the first horse Shook ever rode six years ago, and the duo took off from there.
“There’s a lot of luck involved in this sport, which I found out,” Shook said. “This is my fifth trip to the world show, and I had never been in the finals for senior or open, and this year I made it back in both. It was really exciting and definitely an experience.”
For full results from the 2016 World Championships, visit nbha.com. Be sure to grab a copy of the December 2016 issue of Barrel Horse News for full coverage of the championships, including photos and in-depth interviews.
Blanche Schaefer is associate editor of Barrel Horse News. Email comments on this article to [email protected].