Tipped barrel keeps Southard from Lakeside win

Had it not been for a five-second penalty for knocking down a barrel, Temecula’s Melanie Southard would have won the Barrel Racing at the Lakeside Rodeo.

Southard and her horse, Snickers, completed the course in 17.09 seconds during the April 29 performance, but the tipped barrel gave her an official time of 22.09 seconds. Rachel Millymaki, who also rode April 29, had a time of 17.20 seconds to win the rodeo.

“I knew he was having a good run, so it’s kind of disappointing, but I’m not upset or mad at him,” Southard said.

Snickers, an 18-year-old gelding, is recovering from an injury. “My horse has been off for two years,” Southard said. “I’m just getting back on him.”

The Lakeside Rodeo was Snickers’ third rodeo since his lay-up. “Even though I hit a barrel, I was happy that he had the fastest time. It just shows that he feels good and is ready to go,” Southard said. “I was very happy with him.”

Snickers ran the Lakeside Rodeo without shoes. “He’s a pretty amazing animal,” Southard said.

Southard was raised in Nuevo and attended Nuevo Elementary School and Perris High School. She had lived in Texas before returning to Riverside County and moving to Temecula in October.

Snickers hit the third and final barrel at Lakeside to incur the five-second penalty.