The parking lot at Alex Fraser Park was full of horse trailers Saturday afternoon (Sept. 28), and the indoor arena was a buzz of activity, as Quesnel barrel racers competed to support a well-known local farrier and his family.
As barrel racers took their turns around the course, spectators cheered, and athletes, family members and spectators placed their bids on silent auction items and on a baked goods auction and purchased pizza, water and pop, all to help raise money for farrier D’Arcy Luttmer and his family.
At the end of the day, the event raised more than $3,800 to help cover lost income as Luttmer recovers from a horse accident.
D’Arcy suffered eight broken ribs, three fractures in his pelvis, a hole in his lungs and a crushed collarbone after his horse flipped and rolled over him a week and a half ago, according to a Facebook post from the Bouchie Lake Gymkhana Club.
D’Arcy is a farrier by trade, and he is expected to be in a wheelchair or using a walker for six weeks. He won’t be shoeing horses for quite a while, and that is his main source of income. According to the Gymkhana Club, D’Arcy’s wife, Colleen — who is also a farrier — will be trying to cover his clients in the meantime — along with taking care of D’Arcy and their son Emmett, as well as taking care of their farm and getting ready for winter.
Forty-three racers competed in the open division, and there were five peewees, five youth and four seniors.
In 1D, Coulter Gould finished first on Savanna with a time of 15.381, followed by Debbie Roch on Malibu (15.444), Chelsea Brears on Shady (15.669) and Kim Meise on Dyna (15.680).
First place in 2D went to Chelsea Brears riding Gus, with a time of 15.933. Second place went to Sarah Mack on Strider (15.935), followed by Susan Tritt on Flint (16.011) and Tessa Anderson on Jade (16.016).
In 3D, Jordan Farmer and Oakley finished first with a time of 16.437. Jordan Miller and Harley were second with a time of 16.455, followed by Alisha Scouler and Junior (16.507) and Jodi Staves and Rhandi (16.513).
Taylor Brears finished first in 4D on Charo, with a time of 17.429, followed by Natasha Milliken on Cotton (17.672), Jordan Miller on Dotcom (17.828) and Debbie Roch on Greyson (18.233).
In peewee racing, Kaleah Weibe and Shady won first place in 1D with a time of 17.022. Charlee Farmer and Grey were first in 4D with a time of 20.080, while Ainslee Meise and Hoss were second (21.395), and Isabell Fouty and Mini were third (26.522).
In the youth division, Jordan Farmer and Oakey finished first in 1D with a time of 16.437. Lilly Borrett and Cricket finished with a time of 17.172 to take first place in 2D, while Ella Cohen and Gadget were first in 4D with a time of 19.170, and Emma Gildemeister and Tango were second in 4D with a time of 21.037.
In the senior division, Debbie Roch and Malibu claimed first in 1D with a time of 15.444, while Susan Tritt and Flint were first in 2D with a time of 16.011.
Jodi Staves and Rhandi were third in 3D with a time of 16.513.
Organizers Jodi Staves and Ashley Zappone are grateful to Panago and Safeway for supplying lunch for everyone, and they offer “a huge thank you” to Gary Nicholson, Teresa Pederson, Parallel Welding, Lil’ Red Pony Feed and Supplies and Jaimie Delves — “who has been a huge supporter of all the horse events in Quesnel” — Co-Op, Circle “S” Western Wear, Bouchie Lake Country Store, Rafter 3L Equine Sports Therapy, CB Performance Horses, Aimee Murray, Ty Jasper Farrier Service, Sarah and Nigel Barber, Ruby’s Nursery and the many people who showed up with baking items for the auction.
“And to all the racers who came out to race, we couldn’t have raised so much without you,” Staves said in an email.
A GoFundMe page has also been started for the Luttmer family.
The online fundraiser, organized by Lani Brathwaite, had already raised $4,800 as of Tuesday morning.
To donate, visit https://au.gofundme.com/f/cvdgv-lend-a-helping-hand.
READ MORE: Fundraising barrel race for Luttmer family coming up Saturday in Quesnel
editor@quesnelobserver.com
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