The duo had ridden progressively faster through the first two Open Go events, recording a run of 14.170 on Tuesday and following with a 14.169 on Wednesday, good enough for a first place finish on both days.
But it was going to take something special if they were going to finish the nearly impossible task of three straight wins against a heavily stacked field.
That’s because going into their final run in the Open Short Go on Thursday, Swift Current’s Cassandra Peters and Dats A Looker had put down the best run of the week, crossing the line in 14.117 seconds.
So what did Tapp and Chic do? Nothing much, other than covering the cloverleaf in a stunning 14.074 seconds.
That was enough for another first-place finish -- the final duo of the day, Krystal Grad and A Special Perks would finish second in 14.117 -- to cap an incredible week of rides.
“It’s amazing, I’m a little shocked,” Tapp said while waiting alongside her mount for the awards ceremony. “He’s been a very challenging horse over the years so I just wanted to be clean and the same as before, as smooth as possible… With this big horse, smooth is fast, that’s something my friend Lanette Lewis told me a few years ago, she’s from Moose Jaw, and that’s always just stuck in my head.”
Tapp had the benefit of putting down her other times early or midway through the event on the previous two days. To do so only a few horses after and while facing the best of the best of the week was something a little different.
“It’s a lot of pressure, and I don’t handle pressure well, he handles pressure better than I do, apparently.” Tapp said with a laugh. “I’ve never had this many good runs in a row with him, and to keep getting faster each day is unbelievable. He has the talent, though, and it really showed this week.”
All told, Tapp and Leading Fast Chic would win close to $3,500 for their weeks work.
The duo became an unmistakable crowd favourite throughout provincials, but some of the loudest cheers were for one of Moose Jaw’s own, and for good reason.
Youngster Kollins Drake and High Class Slinky finished second behind Tapp in the second Open Go and eighth in the Open Short. Her Second Go time of 14.248 seconds was also the top time in the Youth Division and her scintillating 14.12 in the Youth Short was the best time overall time out of all rides on Wednesday.
To top it all off, Drake’s second ride Checkoutmyboots recorded a 14.780 in the Open Short and took top spot in the 2D division. It all translated into more than $2,800 in winnings for the up-and-coming rider.
For a look at the full results, including all payouts, visit www.saskbarrelracing.ca/finals-results-with-payout/
