By WESLIE GRAHAM
Moapa Valley Progress
The second annual “Tough Enough To Wear Pink” barrel racing and pole bending jackpot took place on Saturday, Oct. 11 at the Clark County Fairgrounds. The event, sponsored by the Moapa Valley Riders Club and Boulder City Racers, featured nearly 100 riders.
Barrel racing consists of three barrels placed inside an area that riders race around in a clover leaf pattern. Each participant is timed in the race. A tipped-over barrel adds five seconds to the racer’s time. The fastest time at Saturday’s competition was 17.691 seconds.
Event organizer and treasurer of the Moapa Valley Riders Club Tracey Thornton said that sponsors donated money to add to the payout.
“Added money draws (riders) to get a bigger purse,” she said. “A portion of every entry gets donated to a cancer survivor.”
Thornton was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013 and organized the first local “Tough Enough To Wear Pink” jackpot in just three weeks. The event raised over $1,500 which was donated to Logandale resident and cancer survivor Cher Freeman and the Mesquite Cancer Help Society.
This year’s proceeds of $4,000 were donated to Jessica Leavitt, a young mother who is just completing cancer treatments.
The event, a fast paced competition, drew a variety of participants including young children and experienced riders all decked out in pink to support the cause. Spectators also gathered at the arena in support of both Leavitt and the participants.
The “Tough Enough To Wear Pink: trademark is sponsored by Wrangler. It required the purchase of official “Tough Enough To Wear Pink” merchandise to be used during the annual benefit jackpot.
The event also featured a raffle with tickets that were sold for a dollar each or $5 for six. Participant entry fees cost between $20 and $45 depending on age and event.
