By Katie Harris

The Surveyor

True West Productions, a barrel racing organization which hosts 50 races per year across Colorado, will host its fourth fundraising event to benefit Children’s Hospital Aug. 29-Sept. 1 at Boulder County Fairgrounds in Longmont.

The organization, which was founded by Berthoud residents Marti and David Rushton, has been producing races for the past 11 years with a focus on inclusive, family-oriented events.

“We started True West to have a place for all levels of riders to come out and have fun,” said Marti. With this goal in mind, the Rushton’s events offer an 80 percent payback of entry fees — one of the best payouts around in barrel racing.

“Some people compete for points, but the pot draws people here,” said Marti.

That’s why, in anticipation of this year’s fundraising event, the Rushtons are seeking sponsors to help sweeten the pot with whatever they can spare. In exchange for their contribution, True West Productions will advertise sponsors on their website, event banners and Facebook for a full year.

“We try to add as much money and prizes to the pot as we can so that more people come,” said Marti. Currently, sponsorships for Saturday’s races total $7,400, and the Rushton’s goal is to reach $10,000, an amount never before seen in Colorado. While cash is always appreciated, prizes such as buckles and supplements are also needed.

For each $15 office fee that participants pay to enter the event, $10 will be donated to Children’s Hospital, along with any additional donations made. Each year the Rushton’s make the trip to Children’s Hospital in the days following the event to present a check. The amount has increased each time from a $1,600 donation the first year to nearly $4,500 after last year’s event.

“We need more sponsors to help make the race bigger and better so that we can raise money for Children’s Hospital,” said Marti.

For more information on becoming a sponsor, contact Marti at 970-692-0224 or send an email at truewestproductions.org. To enter the event, simply show up the day of, or contact the Rushtons via email or Facebook.