Sisters barrel racer brings home buckle

Sisters barrel racer Shorty Hurtley brought home a buckle and a fancy halter from the finals at the Cantastic Summer Barrel Racing Series.

She wears the buckle with pride; her horse, Diggen Diamond or Diggens, as she fondly calls him, won't have anything to do with his halter. It's a lovely leather creation with a cowhide noseband. The words "Cantastic 2007" are burned into the hide, and Hurtley figures the smell of the burned hide spooks Diggens.

So for now, the halter hangs on a wall, and Hurtley has a fall project in getting the horse to accept his prize.

The Cantastic Series was held over the summer months at the Deschutes County Fair and Expo Center. It's an event that started several years ago but has come into its own this year. Hurtley credits the central location of the fairgrounds, plus the scoring method used, for the event's popularity.

The series has four divisions, known as 4D, and there are winners in each division. The fastest time overall is the winner of 1D. The rider whose time is a half-second off wins 2D; a second off wins 3D; two seconds off wins 4D. Placegetters in each division have times between those.

Hurtley won her buckle with the fastest time in 3D; the halter was third prize in 4D.

It's a world where fractions of seconds mean the difference between winning and placing.

"We ran in the low 19s this season," said Hurtley. "My goal is to get into the low 18s."

She said a series like the Cantastic meets the needs of both novice and competitive racers. The scoring system levels the playing field, while still being challenging for seasoned riders and horses.

Hurtley doesn't specialize in barrels with her 10-year-old gelding.

"I team rope, do breakaway roping and trail ride with him," she said. "I'm developing him slowly, making him into an all-around horse."

Riding is a family affair for the Hurtleys. Husband Chad ropes, as do daughters Rylee, 9, and Dally, 6. The family belongs to the Rimrock Riders Club which puts on playdays and ropings.

Shorty Hurtley is looking forward to a winter barrel racing series and then to next summer's Cantastic. She's hoping Diggens gets over his mistrust of the fancy halter by then.