The race also paid out $7,000 in incentive money, including the Sherry Cervi Youth Incentive. The All In awarded more than $500,000 in a combination of cash and prizes, thanks to the many partners who have faith in this new race.
All In Barrel Race American qualifier winner Lisa Lutjen riding KN Fabs Gift of Fame. Photo by PixelWorx.
“Every effort was made to ensure the highest quality and opportunity of competition,” said Chris Woodruff, owner of Group W Productions. “Our team worked diligently to have all the final details completed for the contestants, from stall check-in, arena times, hotel, etc. The most important element to the All In Barrel Race was the quality of arena ground. We made extra efforts and planning to bring the very best ground to the event.”
Coming to life this past December, the All In was a part of the new downtown location of the Stetson Country Christmas at the World Market Center Pavilions. This addition to the show brought more than 500 barrel racing competitors to downtown Las Vegas.
The All In Barrel Race consisted of two separate races. Race 1 from December 1–4, 2016, Race 2 from December 7–10, 2016, and a qualifier race December 11 for RFD-TV’s The American Rodeo. The race included two qualifying rounds to the clean-slate Showdown Round.
“The showdown round format made for great competition,” Woodruff said. “Each division champion received $10,000, a custom Martin saddle, Bob Berg buckle, a gift from Total Feeds, along with other prizes.”
Dally Parker won the Race 1 paycheck for $10,000. Photo by PixelWorx.Dally Parker won the 1D of Race 1, and Brianna Trepanier won Race 2. For full results, visit lvbarrelrace.com.
In conjunction with the All In Barrel Race, the RFD-TV Arena hosted an American qualifier race. Lisa Lutjen and KN Fabs Gift Of Fame posted the fastest run of the qualifier. Scheduling a qualifier the day after the conclusion of the NFR and the All In Barrel Race brought big names to Stetson Country Christmas, such as NFR qualifiers Michele McLeod and Stevi Hillman.
The All In Barrel Race featured multiple added giveaways throughout the race, such as George Strait concert tickets. During Race 1, the Total Feed Match Race pitted Fallon Taylor against Laney Robinson and one lucky All In Barrel Race contestant, Carlos Renato. Underdog Renato emerged as title champion from this tough match.
The All In Barrel Race plans is to grow into a premier barrel racing event.
“Thank you to all of our 2016 competitors who came thousands of miles to compete,” Woodruff said.
Information for 2017 will be released in the next few months, and all 2016 participants will have first chance to enter when books open.
Race 2 1D champ Brianna Trepanier riding DHR Phoebes Ros. Photo by PixelWorx.The Stetson Country Christmas has one year of the new downtown location at the World Market Center Pavilions in the books. The previous 22 years, the show graced the halls of the Sands Expo & Convention Center. The Stetson Country Christmas is the first Western lifestyle gift show on the Las Vegas strip, first to feature a live stage show, and the first and only major trade show that continues to be open the last Sunday of NFR week in Las Vegas.
The new location opened many doors, such as a full-size competition arena, where the show hosted the All In Barrel Race, Totals Feed Match Race with Fallon Taylor, Match of Champions team roping and tie-down roping, along with a larger stage for Live with Lucia, World Championship Dummy Roping for Kids and more. The move continues to grow over the years, allowing vendors more opportunity. Group W appreciates the support of the downtown Las Vegas area. Information can be found at countrychristmas.vegas.
Group W Productions, based out of Weatherford, Texas, offers production services locally and nationally. Group W annually produces Stetson Country Christmas, Roper Cowboy Marketplace, All In Barrel Race, Warrenton Marketplace, Elite Rodeo Athletes Expo, RFD-TV’s The American and Academy of Country Music Awards: Party for a Cause Festival Expo. For more information and a list of events produced, please visit groupwproductions.com.
Article and photos provided courtesy All In Barrel Race. Photos by PixelWorx photography. Email comments on this article to [email protected].
