Blind rider challenges for barrel horse title
By Chris Gay, Staff Writer

*Webmaster note: Christina Georges is a former client of NCBVI and also appears in our Nebraska Center for the Blind video. To view the video, follow the link: "The Life You Choose".

To purchase a copy
of the video, please contact Bill Brown at (402) 471-8106 or via E-mail with the subject line "NCBVI Video."

Clearly, Christina is a shining example of our mission:
"Empowering Blind Individuals
Promoting Opportunities
And Building Belief in the Blind."

For Christina Georges, competing in the 11 th annual National Barrel Horse Association World Championships was an eye-opening venture.

Making the finals was pure elation.

Georges and Robins Tress Dial marked a time of 15.677 in the NBHA Open finals at the Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center on Saturday night. She became the first legally blind barrel racer to reach the pinnacle of NBHA competition.

“I’m very happy,” she said. “It was a clean run.”

The Open and Senior finals ran late Saturday night. The Open finals started at 8 p.m. with 123 contestants. The senior finals, with 76 riders, followed after the Open finals.

Earlier in the day, two riders broke Tanya Steinhoff’s arena record (13.914) set last year. In the Open second go-round, Paula Seay on Krimps Ready To Go posted a time of 13.869, while barrel racing legend Martha Josey and Red Man Bay marked a 13.895.

Two other riders posted sub-14-second times. Chuck Tolbert and What A Sharp Chick scored a 13.950. Clay Oliver and Panamas Black Gold marked a 13.961.

In the senior second go-round, Carol Kerstetter and Panama Shady Lady captured the event with a 14.151. Robert Pavey and Shawne Hope scored a 14.263, while Denny Taglang and Honest Stone marked a 14.271.

When the Open second go-round finished, the 21-year-old Georges learned she’d be making a fourth, and final, run in Augusta this year.

“It was no different,” she said. “I was trying not to be nervous.”

Georges, of Shubert, Neb. and her gelding blazed out of the alleyway toward the first barrel. The two cleared it cleanly and proceeded to do so the next two barrels. Georges and her horse sped down the final stretch – making their fourth clean run of the week, meaning they hit no barrels.

“It’s been a lot of fun,” she said. “I really enjoyed it.”

Georges said she might return next year. If she does, it will be with another horse, instead of 21-year-old Robins Tress Dial.

“I’m retiring him,” she said.

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