Tehachapi News

BVS riders conquer 'Extreme Challenge'

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Erika Underwood, 20, emerged victorious over 44 other riders at the Horseman’s Extreme Challenge event June 27 at Bear Valley Springs Equestrian Center.

Under time constraints, contestants negotiated obstacles that a cowboy on a horse might face in the course of a day: Taking mail out of a mailbox, jumping over a barrel, walking up stairs and over a bridge, dragging a log, running, backing up through hay bales, making the way through a “dead fall” (branches), reining in a pattern, side passes (moving sideways), moving in a serpentine, passing through a gate and going over a water crossing.

As first place finisher overal, Underwood won a belt buckle and 30 percent of the money pot, or $337.50.

Linda Adame won second place overall and Celeste Stauffer, third place.

In the “Young Challenger” class of competitors age 13 and under, Kennedy Stauffer won first place, Lindsey Krueger second and Loren Owen, third.

In the “Youth Challenger” class of competitors age 14-17. Meghan Taylor won first place, Maria Rodriguez won second and Mathew Keueger, third.

In the “Challengers” class of competitors ages 18-54, Erika Underwood won first place, Celeste Stauffer won second and Linda Adame, third.

In the “Challenged” class of competitors age 55 and up, Rick Weber won first place, Jim Nelson won second and Dawn Nelson, third.