East Texas

By MALENA OGLES
Staff Writer

GLADEWATER — A little more than four years after the death of Gladewater’s world champion barrel racer, the Gladewater Round-Up Rodeo Association is holding a barrel race in her honor.

Deb Mohon, a 56-year-old barrel racer from Gladewater, died from a head injury sustained during a horse training accident in 2003. This weekend, more than 300 racers are expected to run in a four division race in her honor at the Gladewater Rodeo grounds.

Organizer Lynda Morse said the barrel race took place last year, but this is the first year it will be done in Mohon’s name. Last year’s race had 230 contestants from Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana.

“She was a close friend, my neighbor and mentor. It has been a great loss for all in the horse racing community,” Ms. Morse said.

Ms. Mohon was an 11-time qualifier to the PRCA National Finals Rodeo in barrel racing and the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association’s Reserve World Champion. She and her horse, “Special Agreement,” were known by everyone as Brown made 11 consecutive runs at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, which fellow riders say is unprecedented.

The Gladewater Rodeo Association committee agreed to put up a prize of $4,000 for the winner and Hy O Silver buckles will be awarded to the division champions.

The race, which is free to the public, is set to begin at noon on Saturday, but the exhibitions are scheduled for all day on Friday.

For more information about the race or to enter, call 903-845-6091.