(Submitted photo/Covy Moore)

By Angie Rolheiser

Barrel Racing Champ

Successful debut at Calgary Stampede rodeo for Hudson Bay’s Bertina Olafson

Jul 21, 2021 | 3:07 PM

Bertina Olafson of Hudson Bay is still in disbelief after winning the top prize in the ladies’ barrel racing at the Calgary Stampede.

“The word amazing keeps coming to my mind,” Olafson said. “I’m not sure when the smile will come off my face, but it was an amazing experience.”

Olafson and her horse Duke placed first in the Sunday showdown on July 18 with a time of 17.247 seconds to win the grand prize of $50,000. In total earnings, she brought home $62,000 from the Stampede.

(Facebook/Bertina Olafson)

“The money will give us a bit of cushion to finish up the year,” Olafson said. “It costs a lot in fuel and feed to go down the road to do this sport.”

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She also plans to buy a special gift for Duke as well with the winnings.

This was Olafson’s first appearance competing at the Stampede and only began preparing Duke for the event when she got an invitation to attend in June.

Duke placed third on the first and second day of competition last week, tied for fifth on the third day and placed second on the fourth day with a time of 17.42 seconds to move onto the Sunday showdown.

On Sunday, after their winning run, Olafson did not immediately realize what had happened.

“I had seen another girl walking towards the track, and I thought that she had beat me, I was just keeping back and then I was told to come forward,” Olafson said. “That’s when I had realized that I had won it so it was a good surprise.”

Olafson has made her way back home to Hudson Bay but Duke and backup horse Venus stayed behind to have some relaxation.

“They stayed at a spa, so they get to rejuvenate, and I came home to get everything ready to hit the road again,” Olafson said.

Next up for the pair is the professional rodeo circuit with an end goal of the Canadian Finals in November.

“We are entered into a few rodeos coming so we will be going to Alberta again and taking in Lea Park, Medicine Hat and Strathmore in the next couple of weeks,” Olafson said.

The support from at home in Saskatchewan and around Canada has been overwhelming, Olafson said.

“It has been amazing to have everyone along for the ride,” she said.

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angie.rolheiser@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @Angie_Rolheiser