Story originally posted by Horsecity.com Staff

The first round of the Open lasted two days, but when the 973rd competitor left the arena, almost $42,000 in prize money had been claimed by 40 riders.

Chancy Etbauer took no chances with a smoking 14.303-second run aboard Zan Bay Freckles, taking the first place 1D check worth $3,202 back to Goodwell, Oklahoma. Timothy Oxby and Her Dirty Venture of Lynnville, Indiana, posted a 14.826 to top the 2D for a $2,783 payday.


The 3D win went to Pennsylvania barrel racer Doug Kerstetter of Milroy, whose run of 15.303 aboard Freida Invest earned $1,947. Tae Markgraf and Rusty of Azle, Texas, took the top spot in the 4D with a 16.305, worth $1,529.

The top 15 riders in each division will advance to the clean-slate Open finals on Saturday night. Another set of qualifiers - the top 15 in each division - from round two will also advance to the finals, where four 2002 NBHA Open World Champions will be crowned.

This 10th anniversary NBHA World Championship Show - the culminating event in the association's yearlong 10th anniversary celebration - also features world championship competition for Senior (over age 50) riders, whose second qualifying round concludes Thursday. Their exciting clean-slate finals on Friday night will determine this year's four Senior world champions.

For more information - and to watch a live webcast of the show - visit www.NBHA.com.