Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883

'Muddy Tracks' takes Calcutta

It was Muddy Tracks for the win at the 6th Annual Eagles “Run for the Roses” Stick Horse Calcutta on Saturday, Nov. 23.

Crappy Harvest was the theme, and bidders were in ample supply. Auctioneer Mike Ostrom of Rugby started the bidding for each horse at $100. In a rousing competition, each horse fetched $1,800 or more. When just one horse remained, two horseless teams vied for their chance to get in the race. Sand Bag was the horse’s name, and she fetched $2,250 for the local charity.

Once the horses had riders, they lined up at the starting line.

Bryce Yri was in Lane 1 with the #3 horse, Swampy, the first horse purchased at auction. His sister Alivia was in Lane 2, with the #1 horse, Stick in the Mud. The # 4 horse, Old Nag, was jockeyed by Chris Hahn. In Lane 4, rider Chaztin Wobbema lined up with the #5 horse, Muddy Tracks. Stephen Guler was in Lane 5, with the #6 horse, Snow Shoe. Lane 6 had the #2 horse, Sand Bag, which was ridden by Charlie Karsnia.

Mike Yri and Simon Anderson were the official die rollers. With a throw of the die, the racers were off!

Muddy Tracks jumped to an early lead, and he couldn’t be stopped. Each time a 5 appeared on the die, Muddy Tracks’ owners (who had front row seats for the race) hollered and cheered.

Jockey Chaztin Wobbema rode Muddy Tracks to victory, winning the $5,775 purse for his owners: Scott Reis, Josh and Jodi Guler, Shane and Karla Swanson, Gayle Dodds, Ronda Hoffartt, Brent and Jenna Helseth, Mark and Paula Seiler, Josh Ziebart, Mike and Jessie Martin, Elaine Thompson, Mattew Joseph and Paul and Janice Reis.

Old Nag, the #4 horse ridden by Chris Hahn, finished in second place. Bryce Yri rode the #3 horse, Swampy, to a third place finish.

After the race, the gamblers had their chance to win part of the 50/50 prize money. The first place $187 prize from Muddy Track’s bucket went to Eric Myhre.

Michael Allmaras won $112 from Old Nag’s second place bucket, and the $75 third place prize from Swampy’s bucket went to Leann Schafer.

The event netted $7,783 for the local club, which will be used to provide funds for local projects.

The Eagles Club express appreciation for the 12 lane sponsors: Yri Electric, Peterson Law Offices, P.C., Lesmeister Construction, New Rockford Lions Club, Dakota Plains Insurance Agency, Myhre Seeds, Mick’s 281 Service, Unverferth Manufacturing, Central Insurance Agency and Bank Forward/Insure Forward.