‘Home Stretch’ heading for Fiesta Days                  

CAVE CREEK –  Art Norby of Norby Fine Art Gallery in Cave Creek unveiled his painting which will become the Fiesta Days Rodeo 2007 poster, a 48x36‑inch oil painting called “Home Stretch” (at right).

As an annual sponsor of the poster, donating 30 percent of all proceeds to the rodeo, Norby painted the rodeo event of Bull Riding for the 2005 Fiesta Days poster. Last year, it was the Saddle Bronc. This year, Norby’s “Home Stretch,” features the rodeo event of Barrel Racing, one of the few events in which women participate.

“It was time to give the women their due,” Norby says, of his painting that shows a woman barrel racer turning the final corner and heading down the home stretch. “A lot of women have requested the event for the poster this year. The event is getting very popular with women, so it seemed right to get them in the picture.”

At the Norby Gallery event on Oct. 6, another longtime Fiesta Days sponsor, Smith’s Tack & Saddlery of Phoenix, donated a turquoise and leather barrel racing saddle which will be raffled off at rodeo. The saddle will be on display at the International Barrel Racing Association’s barrel racing competition at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 14 at Cave Creek Memorial Arena to benefit Cowboys for Kids. Raffle tickets for the saddle ($5 or 5 for $20) will be available at the competition and later at Norby Gallery when the saddle returns there for Wild West Days next month. The winner will be announced at the Fiesta Days Rodeo in April.