(Submitted photo/Kim Salmond)

By Ben Tompkins

Jorja Salmond

Weekes barrel racer up looking to make her name

Aug 21, 2025 | 1:50 PM

A familiar name to the northeast is looking to make her mark on the world of competitive barrel racing.

Jorja Salmond, daughter of professional chuckwagon driver Wade Salmond (who won the Top Rookie Award at the 2023 Calgary Stampede), and niece of Evan Salmond (who finished this WPCA season fourth in the world, with a penalty-free year), is trying to become a Youth Athlete of the Year.

“There are a lot of really good athletes in Canada and around the world, so I think it’s really cool to be a part of it, let alone close to the top… I’ve been barrel racing since I could walk, so it’s pretty cool to actually be moving up in the sport and just being where I am today at the age of 15,” Jorja told northeastNOW.

“My mom and dad both barrel raced when they were kids, so it’s pretty cool to kind of be the next generation… I’m hoping to make a living out of it, and just travel the world and barrel race. I also want to train horses and run in some big rodeos, so hopefully, that’ll make a living.”

Jorja has already claimed some big wins, as at the same Calgary Stampede that her father won the Top Rookie Award, she competed as a wild pony racer and was the event’s champion.

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Now she’s in a different type of competition, as she’s looking for votes to make her the Youth Athlete of the Year, which would give her a $25,000 prize and feature her in a 3BRAND ad in Sports Illustrated.

“It would be very special to win. I pay all my own entry fees in the events I compete in, and I help out with the fuel to get there. I’m also saving up for a truck and trailer for when I turn 16 next year, so the money would definitely be a big help. The ad would also be really cool, especially as a barrel racer, because some people don’t really consider it a sport, so it would be exciting to show them that it is,” she added.

“I’m so thankful for everyone who has voted, it means a lot to me. There are lots of really good people who are voting and cheering for me, so it’s pretty cool to see how many people have been interacting with my journey and supporting me. I get to meet so many great people in this sport and do what I love and race on horses that I’ve raised from the ground up, so it’s all pretty amazing, especially with the support that I receive.”

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

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