Colorado Classic moved to Torrington

Andrew Towne
Posted 6/19/20

TORRINGTON – Because of ongoing restrictions in the state of Colorado due to COVID-19, the seventh annual Colorado Classic Futurity and Derby barrel race was moved from Pueblo, Colo. to Torrington’s Goshen County Fairgrounds and is scheduled June 18-21.

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Colorado Classic moved to Torrington

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TORRINGTON – Because of ongoing restrictions in the state of Colorado due to COVID-19, the seventh annual Colorado Classic Futurity and Derby barrel race was moved from Pueblo, Colo. to Torrington’s Goshen County Fairgrounds and is scheduled June 18-21.

Event organizer Kayla Jones is excited about bringing her yearly barrel race to the Torrington.

“The Torrington Fairgrounds has been great. They have absolutely been accommodating. They’ve really worked with me because we are doing this in COVID times,” she said. “People are really excited to come to the Goshen County Fairgrounds. It’s a great facility, and Torrington should be really proud of that because barrel racers are very particular on where they go. I’m really looking forward to having it in Torrington.”

The original plans were to host it at the Colorado State Fairgrounds in Pueblo but because the facility has yet to reopen due to COVID-19, Jones was forced to move the event.

Jones had to think outside the box because of the other reopened facilities around the state were already booked she said.

It just so happened the Goshen County Fairgrounds had an opening and things fell into place.

“I know a lot of barrel racers from here go up there and absolutely love it,” Jones said. “It is an awesome fairgrounds and great staff. I knew a lot of people would be happy with the move.”

The barrel race consists of two divisions – futurity and derby divisions – and it’s all based on the horses age.

“I am able to host an event to highlight these younger equine athletes,” Jones said. “They only get one year of competition. It was really important for me to do whatever I could to host this event.”

This year’s event has a record number of entries despite the moving of the event.

Jones said she has 90 horse entries in the futurity division and 47 in the derby division and added one rider could ride anywhere from two to three horses.

Racers are expected from Wyoming, Colorado, South Dakota and Texas for the event.

“My goal with this event, based on the classes I have, certain horses are eligible to enter based who their sire is – the horses father – is to highlight these stallion owners in our industry that give so much back to us,” Jones said. “This is the best way I know how to do that.”

According to a Facebook post on the event’s page, the crowd will be limited 40 people in the stands, but Jones said they will be broadcasting the event live on the group’s Facebook page, which can be found at https://www.facebook.com/coloradoclassicfuturity/.

Action gets underway at 1:30 p.m. with the first go-round on Friday. Racing resumes Saturday with the second go at 9 a.m. Sunday will feature exhibitions runs, as well as an Open 4D event which begins at 9:30 a.m.