Barrel Racing Industry Mourns Loss of BFA World Champion “Streak Gypsy Streak”

The Pete Oen-campaigned World Champion mare, Streak Gypsy Streak, succumbed to complications due to colic on Monday, April 1, 2024.

Kaitlyn Woodman | Apr 4, 2024

BFA Juvenile World Championship Nov. 18, 2022 / Kenneth Springer

Streak Gypsy Streak was by the legendary A Streak of Fling and out of a well-known mare in the barrel pen, Hip Swingin Gypsy. The 2019 mare carried Pete Oen to his first Barrel Futurities of America (BFA) Juvenile World Title in 2022 and boasted a lifetime earnings of over $135,000 at the time of her passing.

Oen jockeyed the mare to multiple top finishes in addition to their World Championship. On the mare’s first competition run, they won fourth place in the BFA Super Stakes, which paid $15,000 for their efforts.

Kenneth Springer

Additionally, the mare boasted a Bronze globe from the 2023 AQHA World Show, a Reserve Lucky Dog Futurity Championship, a Reserve Breeders Challenge Futurity Championship, a top 20 finish in the timed trials at the Old Fort Days Futurity, and many more. Not to mention, the mare was named the No. 1 money earner by A Streak of Fling in 2022 after only competing in two events that year.

Just one month before the mare’s passing, her owner, Angela Richardson, was also called home after a courageous battle with cancer. Richardson was Gypsy and Oen’s biggest fan and was said to love the team like no other.

Oen stated in a heartfelt Facebook post announcing the loss, “Gone way too soon but God had other plans for her… Now Angela Richardson has the one she was always wanting to ride. Girl you were my biggest cheerleader and I made you proud, now it’s your turn to make me proud! Go win those barrel races up there! You both fly high until I see the two of you again…”

Before this tragedy, a new generation was born, yet no one knew just how special she would be until this dreaded week. A palomino filly by A Streak of Fling and out of Hip Swingin Gypsy (full sibling to Streak Gypsy Streak) arrived the morning of Saturday, March 9, 2024, and was given the treasured name of “Angela.”

Although the void left by "Gypsy" and Richardson is vast, there is comfort in knowing they are together again and their legacy lives on through the next generation of legendary barrel horses and their loved ones.

Published Apr 4, 2024

KAITLYN WOODMAN

Kaitlyn grew up in a small east Texas town called Marshall, Texas, and now resides in the “Cutting Horse Capital of the World” Weatherford. The rodeo lifestyle was instilled into Kaitlyn at a young age as her entire family has a rodeo background. She spent most of her life at Martha and RE Josey’s ranch just down the road from her house. Kaitlyn was lucky enough to have been surrounded by incredible role models in and out of the arena that got her to where she is today both as a competitor and a person. As a barrel racer, Kaitlyn has competed at just about every level the sport offers. The barrel racing industry is something that she is deeply passionate about, whether it be the futurity and derby scene, the rodeo world, or even the breeding side, she finds herself excited to learn new things and grow the industry as much as she possibly can. Kaitlyn graduated from Sul Ross State University in December of 2023 with a Bachelors of Science in Agriculture degree and knew that upon graduation she wanted to get a start in the western sports media industry. Before graduating from Sul Ross, Kaitlyn was able to start a career as an Equine Insurance Agent and takes pride in protecting her customer’s most valuable assets. Kaitlyn is excited to share her passion for the Western Sports and Agriculture industries through her writing, and she strives to reach audiences far beyond our community to advocate for the betterment of our lifestyle!