Birk wins barrel racing title

The Daily Inter Lake

OGDEN, Utah - Catie Birk, 13, of Kalispell won the Youth 2D National Barrel Horse Association Western National title on Saturday.

The eighth grader to be at St. Matthew's posted a time of 15.075 seconds to best a field of more than 60 riders in her division.

The Youth Division is for ages 18-and-under. Youth compete in one of four classes -1D, 2D, 3D and 4D.

"I was pretty shocked," she said when they announced her name as the champion.

"And then me and my mom (Julie) were real excited."

Birk, who has been riding since she was 3, won on Gold Star Quinn, a 15-year-old quarter horse mare. Birk has competed on that horse for four years. She also rode Missing Margaret, a 10-year-old quarter horse mare.

"I was pretty pleased," she said of her performance.

"It felt really fast."

Birk also rode in the Open Division on Saturday, posting times of 15.4 and 15.9 on two different horses. She is scheduled to ride again today.

"I was hoping I could get into the finals on both my horses, again," she said.

"It depends if I have a good run tomorrow."

Birk was the only Youth Division performer last year to qualify for the Open finals at this event.

Birk's 2D title was worth a buckle and cash.

Also competing in the Youth Division were Shyann Siderius of Kalispell and Brooke Wilson of Bigfork.

Also entered in the Open Division are Siderius, Wilson, Nancy Howell of Kalispell, Jody Siderius of Kalispell, Sheri Yeager of Kalispell and Emily Tiehen of Bigfork.

Earlier this month, Birk competed in the John Deere Super Show in Las Vegas.

"I did really good," she said.

"I just didn't win any money."

Birk's busy summer will include an event much close to home next weekend at Majestic Valley Arena. She'll also start competing in barrel racing at rodeos this summer at the Blue Moon.