SPRINGDALE -- Riding a one-eyed horse would appear to be a disadvantage in barrel racing, but Mandy Bari of Jonesboro argues differently.
Bari still teams with Forest, who was left blind in its left eye after developing a cornea ulcer that ruptured five years ago. Loyalty and trust were the deciding factors in Bari's decision to stick with Forest instead of switching horses.
At A Glance
71st Rodeo Of The Ozarks
Tickets: $7-$38; $7 for children ages 2-12
Information: 877-927-6336; www.rodeooftheozark…
Tonight’s Schedule
6 p.m.: Gates open
6:30 p.m.: Mutton Bustin’
7:30 p.m.: Rodeo
71st Rodeo Of The Ozarks
Friday’s Results
BAREBACK RIDING
No scores
STEER WRESTLING
Cody Miller^3.9
Hunter Washburn^4.1
Will Lunnus^5.0
Clint Thomas^5.8
TEAM ROPING
Chapman, Bratton^7.4
Hall, Brown^12.5
Alley, Adcock^16.1
SADDLE BRONC RIDING
Andrew Steiger^71
Wyatt Barstow^79
Justin Caylor^80
TIE DOWN ROPING
No scores
BARREL RACING
Dallas Dewees^16.96
Julie Thomas^17.01
Mattie Jackson^17.19
Lauren Magdeburg^17.34
Mandy Bari^17.41
Shelly Cox^17.63
BULL RIDING
Dylan Emerson^84
Cameron Bland^82
"It's a lot of trust," said Bari, who graduated from Jonesboro Westside and Arkansas State. "We had his mama and we raised him from a baby. He's pretty much just like a normal horse. He's not skittish and he knows right where the barrel is."
Bari and Forest completed the barrel race in 17.41 at the Rodeo of the Ozarks in muddy Parsons Stadium Friday. The 71st annual event will conclude tonight with the rodeo at 7:30 p.m. and gates opening at 6 p.m.
The rodeo circuit is a passion for Bari and her husband, Chuck, who owns a pharmacy and medical equipment business in Jonesboro. Their family now includes their three-year-old daughter, Laura Mae, and they'll celebrate Independence Day at home today after going to a rodeo in Imboden earlier this week.
"We're not traveling as much this year with a 3-year-old at home," Bari said. "We came over to Springdale for the day because we love the Rodeo of the Ozarks and I usually do pretty good here."
Bari, 40, grew up in a rodeo family and has competed in barrel racing since she was 18. The addition of Laura Mae has temporarily slowed but won't stop their family from participating in the sport they love.
"Mandy's dad ropes and her brother fights bulls, so this is something she's been doing all her life," said Chuck, who added that his main responsibility is to drive the truck. "It's fun and there's always something different."
Rain fell hard about an hour before the start of Friday's rodeo and turned the arena at Parsons Stadium into a muddy mess. All of the competitors failed to score in bareback riding and tie-down roping and only two scored in bull riding. A scary moment occurred in the rodeo when a rider and her horse fell during the Ozark Rounders routine. But the cowgirl and horse regained their feet and completed their performance with the rest of the Rounders and exited the arena to the cheers of the crowd.
Sports on 07/04/2015