Barrel racing series provides low-pressure experience for riders and horses

by Kristy Tiesing, posted May 6, 2010

CAFNR’s Collegiate Horsemen Association (CHA) offers barrel racers of all skill levels a chance to gain a little practice, experience and confidence. Every Tuesday in April, racers had the opportunity to participate in exhibition and compete in core races. This was part of the CHA April Barrel Racing Series and was available for only a $5 entry fee.

The series offered the chance for beginning riders to have a low-pressure practice experience in order to gain confidence and improve their skills. They were also able to see and speak with experienced riders to get tips and encouragement. Advanced riders were also given the chance to race with older horses and tune up their techniques for bigger races.

“CHA and its barrel races allow me to meet with people who share an interest in horses,” member Sarah Erickson said. “I love the barrel series, it helps me get ready to compete in other barrel races.”

Erickson has been riding horses since she was about 9 years old and started competing in barrels at age 12.

“I really liked the speed of barrels, so when a lady offered to help me run, I took it and have been competing ever since,” Erickson said. Right now, Erickson competes in mostly National Barrel Horse Association and Better Barrel Races. She has competed in Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma and Mississippi.

Participants in the CHA Barrel Racing Series have said that they use it as an opportunity to get ready for bigger races. They use it to train younger horses and give them the experience they need.

“CHA barrel races are good practices for me,” MU sophomore Hannah Riddle said. “I am thankful to have a barrel race 10 minutes from where I live to take younger horses there and get ready for bigger rodeos. I hauled my younger horse and current back-up horse, Jake. Jake is only 7, and I don’t need him to be my No. 1 horse right now, but I still need him to be able to step up when my main horse is in need of a rest.”

Riddle explained her goal for this spring was to get Jake out for some confidence building runs. The low-pressure environment of the CHA Barrel Racing Series seemed to be just what she was looking for.

“A lower-pressure, low-key barrel race like the CHA are what you need when you are prepping for some bigger barrel races like I am,” Riddle said. "I am competing at some of the biggest rodeos and barrel races in the region, and it’s wonderful to get some runs in before you make those big hauls.”

Riddle, who is an agricultural journalism major, has been barrel racing competitively for about 12 years. She has traveled to Iowa, Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Illinois and various other states to compete. Last year, she was the United Rodeo Association 2009 Barrel Racing Rookie of the year.

The CHA racing series was created to deliver exactly what these barrel racers need to gain confidence in themselves and confidence in their horses. They have the opportunity to prep for major barrel races and have a good time with others who share their interests. Although it may be a small-scale, low-pressure environment, it can have a big impact on barrel racing skills

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