Mary Francis Gorsuch of Lancaster, Ohio, and Smooth Stone were 11th in the draw for the barrel racing finals. They’d had a decent run the day before in the preliminaries with a :17.467, the fifth-fastest time. But Mary knew “Stone” could do better. However, when she woke up the morning of August 1, Mary was achy, feverish and not feeling well. It didn’t stop her though, and Mary and Stone put up a time of :17.10, making them the barrel racing youth world champions.

Q. Can you tell me about your finals ride?

Mary: Well, it felt really good. He felt better than he did yesterday in the preliminaries. I can always tell right when I get on if he’s going to give me a good run or not. I was really focused on keeping the barrels up. I felt a little under the weather so I just kind of left it to him.

Q. So you were sick during your run?

Mary: Yes. I’m not sure what it is. They just told me it is a virus.

Q. But even sick, you still went in there and did your best.

Mary: My sister said stop crying like a baby and get your butt in there and do it.

Q. Is this your first time at the Ford Youth World?

Mary: Yes, it’s my first time here. I’ve been to the open world before and I’ve been to the National Barrel Horse Association Youth World many times, but this I my first time here. I’m enjoying it a lot.

Q. Will you come back again next year?

Mary: I’m 17, so I will still be able to show next year and might come back again.

Q. Tell me about Stone.

Mary: I’ve had him for about five years. I love everything about him. He’s drop-dead gorgeous, and I just mesh with him so well.

Q. Is there anyone you would like to thank?

Mary: Yes! My dad and my mom, my sister, my friends and Bob Hamilton, who has helped me so much.

BETCHA DIDN’T KNOW ...
Mary actually has more open points in barrel racing than she does in youth. As a youth rider, she has 60.5 points while in open she has 70.

Mary Francis Gorsuch and Smooth Stone are the 2009 barrel racing youth world champions.