Famous Silk Panties $100,000 BFA World Championship Run

The Graves Ranch has a great YouTube site that posts many of their horses' runs, and I thought you all might like to see Graves' run aboard Famous Silk Panties, winning the BFA Superstakes. 

TheTrickedOutHorse.com's Lisa Barone - Part 2!

The woman behind The Tricked Out Horse brings real rodeo barrel racing experience to her outlaw brand of tack and belts. Lisa Barone has had success in the International Professional Rodeo Association, American Professional Rodeo Association, Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and at the All-American Quarter Horse Congress. Aboard her two mares, this summer she was the high-money earner on Dave Martin's Bullride Mania Tour and last winter won the Sundance Arena Series. Below, Barone talks with The Barrel Racing Blog about her successes as a barrel racer and her life outside the arena.

Where are you from? 

Originally upstate New York, now reside in Fayetteville, Penn.

When did you begin barrel racing, and how did you get involved in the sport? 

I started running barrels when I was 12. I've been riding even before I could walk. I started with show horses and pony hunters. As I got older I still showed horses, but started taking a liking to the speed events. Being from NY, we didn't have a High School or Youth rodeo team, nor did I even know much about rodeo. Alls I know is that I would go watch the local pro rodeo when it would come to town and think that it would be awesome to be able to compete like that someday. So I would just run barrels at our local shows, and as I got to be about 15, I decided that since I didn't like the politics in the show world that I would just strictly run barrels. Then not to long after that I wasn't only competing with those people I watched at the rodeos but I was winning championships. I moved to Penn. in spring of 2001, and in the past eight years I've had much success with the help of a few great horses.

What are some of your biggest successes in your barrel racing career? 

IFR Qualifier, NERF IPRA Barrel Racing Champion, 2 time APRA Champion, Multiple time PRCA Circuit Finals Qualifier, Dodge National Circuit Finals Qualifier, 4x SRA Finals Qualifier, QH Congress Reserve Champion and Finals qualifier, as well as multiple barrel racing and open rodeo achievements.

What horses do you run now, and what horses have you had the most success on in the past? 

I have two mares that I run currently, mostly one that most people know as "Reba" or Hears The Deal, as she is known on her papers. She is 14-year-old once in a lifetime horse. I purchased her from Deena Fries in November of 2001, and since then the mare has suffered three broken legs and still runs hard and gives 100%. She has the biggest heart of any horse I've ever seen. She may not set the world on fire like she once did, but she loves her job and will make the same run every time and put me somewhere at the top. She is Jet of Honor on the top and out of Colonel Freckles mare, I have a beautiful, coming 2 yr old Frenchmans Guy out of her that I will be hauling in the future. Reba will be bred back to "Guy" this spring and I am selling a few of her embryos, to keep her legacy going. If her babies have even half the heart she has, it will be such a blessing.

I also run a 13-year-old palomino mare, ThisBlondeMeansWar, "Blondie". She is mostly all foundation bred. I've only had her for about a year but I've tried to buy her for the past six years, and finally in February I got the word that she was for sale, and the rest is history.

What do you do when you aren't on the road? 

When I'm not on the road, which is scarce at times, I spend time keeping all my business' running smoothly. Besides the leather business, I'm also a Certified Equine Massage Therapist and Adjustor, as well as I take some horses in for tune ups and have a descent size group of lesson students. Between all that I also help my fiancee, John Leinaweaver, keep his bucking program running smoothly. All in all there is no such thing as spare time around our household.

What associations do you run? 

I run IPRA, ECWPRA, WPRA, APRA, SRA, SEBRA, NBHA, IBRA, as well as a few I probably forgot to mention!

What are your barrel racing plans and goals for 2010? 

Hmm, that's a tough one. I'm taking this next year day by day. We have a little girl due at the beginning of March, therefore I'm not sure how much hauling I will be doing. I may just want to stay home and be a mommy for a while. We shall see, I even surprise myself at times. I do know that I would like to haul my colt some to get her used to all the chaos. As far as goals... only time will tell.

How does your background in barrel racing help you make better tack?

I see so many people buying tack, gluing "sparkly stuff" on it and selling to the public. I personally wouldn't use any of that on my horses as its mostly junk and it will fall apart. The cheap and competitive prices on those items normally reflect the quality. Therefore I sell only what I would use myself. I make all my tack custom... from beginning to end by hand. I cut out the Breastcollars, Headstalls, etc. then sew them together and hand set all the glitz. Therefore I intend on being the best out there in providing custom items to the buyer.

TheTrickedOutHorse.com's Lisa Barone - Part 1!

Barrel racer, soon-to-be mother and bride-to-be Lisa Barone has had a lot on her plate this past year, but none of that has stopped her from producing some of the most eye-catching tack and western accessories east of the Mississippi. Her company, The Tricked Out Horse, offers more to barrel racers than the simple bling headstalls and breast collars. From her wide selection of hides to her poker-chip conchos, Barone and The Tricked Out Horse bring an outlaw edge to tack world. 

What products do  you offer? 

We offer headstalls, breastcollars, tripping collars, tie-down nosebands, bronc halters, belts, spur straps, dog collars, buckle purses, diaper bags, gear/clothes bags and misc. items such as crosses, drink coozies and coaster, over-and-unders and stirrup hobbles. Basically we can make virtually anything.

Why are your products different from other lines out on the market? 

Most lines are custom, and all our work is made from scratch. I have come up with some styles that haven't been touched on yet. Plus I let the customers come up with their own design and make it to their specifications

Who is your target market and why? 

I have a wide range of market from Show to Rodeo. My dog collars for instance are sought after by many being that it is my own design and there aren't any like them on the market.

What is your inspiration for your work?  

I'm a very creative, artistic and competitive person. I like to be the best at all I do as well as I like having satisfied customers. Happy customers are repeat customers.

When did you start making tack/belts/etc.? 

2005
What is the price range for a headstall/breastcollar set? 

$300-$700

How can readers of The Barrel Racing Blog get a hold of your products?

www.TheTrickedOutHorse.com 

Check back tomorrow for more on Barone's barrel racing accolades and how that's helped her put together these great products!

A True Testament to the Barrel Racing Community

Bobby "Booger" Barter's death is devastating to the barrel racing and team roping industries. With that said, his death has underscored the fact that these so-called industries are much more than just that - these are communities of people who love and care for one another in ways not comparable in many other areas of life.

While the details of Barter's death remain unclear and may never truly be known to anyone but his immediate family and Barter himself, what will always be known is how Barter lived. His devotion to barrel racing and team roping as sports and as communities of people produced forums like BarrelRacingBuzz.com, where still today complete strangers are coming together to morn his loss. Though they are in mourning, conversations continue on about Christmas recipes, the National Finals Rodeo and more.

Already, an NBHA district in Texas is organizing a fundraiser for Barter's young son, Bandera, selling $5-arm bands. Friends of Barter are uploading videos of his fun-loving ways to the forum, and some are discussing having a Booger Barter Memorial Show.

For some reason that I'll never know or begin to understand, barrel racers come together because we get each other. In times of grief, we can relate to one another like few others in our lives. In times of joy, we celebrate together. When Sherri Cervi and Tammy Key ran Stingray and Dinero, respectively, in Round 6, we all knew that we were witnessing a special moment in barrel racing history. Unfortunately, we also knew that that moment would be overshadowed by the heartbreaking moment that occurred in Athens, Texas, earlier that same day.

Yesterday, I posted a short blip about Barter's death, linking to The Barrel Racing Report that ran what appeared on the World Barrel Racing and World Team Roping websites. That short post received more views than any other story in the nine-month history of this blog. In fact, it received more than twice as many views as any other post I've ever put on the site.

Normally, most of the Barrel Racing Blog's readers come from Pennsylvania and Ohio, but yesterday, a national audience flocked to this small site. Readers came in from Athens, Texas, and Athens, Ohio. Obviously, most visited the post about Barter's death, but many poked around at what else the Barrel Racing Blog had to offer. If I were to guess why, I would say it's because we as barrel racers can't help ourselves - if we see an article about Joe B Jammin or a listing of results from a small town rodeo in Ohio, we can't resist.

Sad news in this week's Barrel Racing Report

This week's issue of The Barrel Racing Report delivers some terrible news for the barrel racing industry as a whole. As reported last night on World Barrel Racing Production's and World Team Roping Production's websites, Bobby "Booger" Barter has died and with him he has taken the WBR and WTR. His death and the loss of the WBR and WTR has left a vacuum in the industry, one that because of lessons learned from Barter's groundbreaking ventures in both industries, will be filled in due time.

Change is Coming!

So, if you've noticed that things have slowed down here at The Barrel Racing Blog, I really apologize! I've been making big plans to move this blog over to a NEW site, with tons of new features and lots of great information.

Pretty soon, I'll need you all to start logging onto www.thebarrelracingblog.wordpress.com, where I'll be adding content daily. The new site right now has the same content as this one, and you can continue to get content on both sites until Jan. 1 when the new site will be fully up-and-running!

Throughout this process, I'd love to get feedback from my loyal readers. This website began as a venture in building an online community of barrel racers and helping barrel racing enthusiasts connect with one another. So, nothing would help me more than hearing from you exactly what you would like to see in a barrel racing website.

QUESTIONS: What can I do to improve The Barrel Racing Blog? How can I help you interact more with this site and with one another?

Two people, 65 horses killed in Lebanon Raceway (Ohio) Fire

In a terrible story coming out of Cincinnati today, at least 65 horses and two people are confirmed dead in the rubble of a barn that burnt down this morning at Lebanon Raceway.

CNN.com has a more thorough story on this tragedy, with video of the fire. According to CNN, this is the second fire at this facility, as in 1988 35 horses were killed in a fire.

Please keep those who lost their lives and those who lost their beloved horses in mind this weekend.

Photos from the Last Two Barrel Races

Just in case you have been to either Porchview Arena or Henderson Arena in the last month for a barrel race, I wanted to give you the website of the photographer, called Forever Works, that was there taking pictures. 

While their pictures are a little bit pricey ($35 for an 8x10 or two 5x7s), they got some great action shots of more than just the second barrel. They were also recently at Kowboy Corral and other regional shows. 

A Barrel Racer's Letter to Santa

Dear Santa,

This year, I've been very, very good. I have taken my horses to the vet when I thought they were the very least bit sore, and I've rested them when they've needed it. I have cleaned my stalls each and every day, and I've always picked my horses' feet before and after riding. I make sure there are enough shavings in the back of my trailer, and I keep my truck clean and above a quarter tank.

I have paid my fees through money I made working pleasure horses and have paid my fuel bills by pumping plasma out of my arms twice each week. I have spent hours sitting through mundane meetings for work and have written hundreds of stories for the newspaper, all to pay for my habit - barrel racing.

I've run in the rain and the mud and in the hot summer heat, and I've sat through the cold at barrel races. I have exhibitioned my young horse and not hurried her, and I've retired my old horse when it was her time.

So, Santa, if you think I've been good, too, then here's a list of some horsey things I'd like to find under my tree on Christmas morning:

1. A year's supply of Lubrisyn

Santa, Lubrisyn will help me take care of both my young and old horses, and it will keep me from making as many trips to the vet's. My vet even thinks I should have it, knowing it will keep me from driving him nuts with sore horses! It will help keep my horse' joints moving smoothly, even though sometimes I run on some tough ground that hurts them. If you get this for me this year, I'd really like another year's supply next year, too!


2. Ed Hardy Tack from Bar~N LLC

Not just for me, but for my diva mares, too! Santa, this will go perfectly with my new Lagrange Boots, Rock N' Roll Cowgirl and Cowboy Militia  duds. Santa, I haven't bought new tack since I got my custom made 5J set  over four years ago. I'm really due for a good new set! On my old black mare, this stuff would really pop. Santa, like I said before, I've been very, very good.


3. An Ed Hardy Halter by BillieAnn Sexton

It's only fair that I match my new headstall and breastcollar with this halter! Santa, I've had the same rope halter on my old mare for 10 years, and she's definitely due for something flashy on her little head! Plus, with the attitude both my my mares have, Ed Hardy's "Love Kills Slowly" line would fit them perfectly! Santa, you'd also be helping out BillieAnn Sexton by buying me one - she's not a big company, just a great young cowgirl putting out a great product!


4. Western Glamour's "Cowgirl is the New Black" Shirt

This shirt says it all. A life many of us have been living for years is really catching on, as styles are swapping back and forth between western and mainstream. Its the perfect treat for me because I've been a good cowgirl all year long.


5. The New Horse

The mystery horse. Santa, please. I know every little girl asks for a pony every year, but this is serious. I've paid my dues with my young horse, and she's doing great...BUT, I'm really ready for a finished aged mare. I've never had a ready-made horse before, but as I get ready to head out on the career search, finish my thesis for graduation and start a life, it would be great not to have to tune on a colt. The freedom of just being able to go on the weekends and not worry about checking, helping or even just exhibitioning would be amazing! I'd love to not have to get to a barrel race at 7:30 a.m. to exhibition, and heaven forbid, just get there a class before the 4D. Santa, if you need help looking for this horse, I have one in mind - we should talk!


So, Santa -

This is part one of this list. As the holiday season moves forward, I'm sure I'll think of more! Am I being greedy? Probably! But even cowgirls can dream, right?

Thanks, Santa.

Chelsea

Poll! What's your favorite PA/OH winter series?

With many of us struggling through the snow and the wind in Pennsylvania and Ohio throughout the winter, it's great to have an indoor arena to escape to regularly. While many local arenas offer shows of some sort during the colder months, few actually have true winter series with year-end awards. In western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio, Buckhorn Arena (West Sunbury, Penn.) hosts Fast Times events that combine steer wrestling and barrel racing, giving out great year-end awards. This year, Blue Lakes Arena (Newbury, Ohio) will be giving out a series saddle at its winter series contest shows. Dave Martin always hosts the Sundance Arena (Fredonia, Penn.) winter rodeo series, that gives out a year-end buckle. 

So, at the right hand side of this page you'll see the poll - which series do you prefer? The poll closes on December 7th!

Despite Knock, Poppino's Team wins WPRA Finals Team Tournament

This year, the Women's Professional Rodeo Association tried out a new team event at the organization's World Finals, and The Barrel Racing Blog 's good friend Tana Poppino 's team took home the team title. Despite her knock aboard Goose , the rest of the team dominated and brought home the title.

To read Tana's full blog on the event on her website, click here . 

Another Giveaway at On The Rodeo Road!

My good friends at On The Rodeo Road are giving away another bag of Daily Edge from Total Health Enhancement! All you have to do is write a comment on their blog about what your goals are for 2010, and they'll pick a new winner sometime soon! So click here to go straight to their site and get to typing.

When Navicular is the Best News I've Heard All Day...

Normally, I save this blog as an outlet for journalistic expression. I usually write articles about top barrel racers, arena conditions and new products. But, today, I'm reflecting. I'm thinking about where barrel racing fits into the grand scheme of life, and I wanted to share a story with you all.

While I was at the All-American Quarter Horse Congress a few weeks ago, I received a phone call from my mother, letting me know that my aunt had been diagnosed with stomach cancer. I come from a very close family - 'very close' doesn't even begin to touch upon how much love my family has for one another. When I heard about my aunt, I was standing in the middle of Lagrange, looking at gator boots. I stopped, cried and hugged my dearest friends. It was a gut-wrenching moment for me.

Over the last few weeks, we've heard nothing but good news from the doctors. They removed part of her stomach, and the surgery went great. She was told she'd have to be in the hospital for 10 days, since the surgery we got great report after great report. She began eating again, first soup then Jello. And then, just yesterday morning, the bomb went off. My uncle sent me a text message - my aunt's biopsies came back, and the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes.

I got this text message just as I was throwing on my boots to head to the vet's with my 16-year-old barrel horse. I had been worried about her all week - worried that she had something seriously wrong with her that would make it impossible for her to ever ride again.

Instantly, though, this message changed my outlook on things. Any news I received about my horse that meant I could keep her happy and healthy for years to come would be good news.

My amazing best friend picked my horse and I up to go to the vets with two of her own horses. She and I agreed that drinks just might be necessary after taking three horses to the vet, and we both expected the worst.

After lots of examining, nerve blocks and x-rays, the doctor had a diagnosis. I discovered she has the very early stages of navicular syndrome, and all she'll need to be sound is proper shoeing to be able to be ridden and loved for years to come. She won't run again - she's earned her retirement 10 times over. My friends horses will be OK in the long-run, too. So, we breathed a sigh of relief.

So, yes, navicular was the best thing I'd heard all day. Sometimes, every once and awhile, something happens that puts the rest of life into perspective. This week was one of those weeks, where all I can do is throw my hands up and go along for the ride. If praying is something you do, I'd appreciate a few prayers for my family. If it's not, please keep my family in mind as we go through this difficult time.

Bit of the Week - Lance Graves Rope Nose Sidepull

We haven't had a chance to throw together our "Bit-of-the-Week " section lately, but this one is definitely worth a mention.

This Lance Graves' sidepull  is way more than just a hackamore. It's shanks rotate outwards, giving you the feel and connectivity of a snaffle bit while maintaining the pull of the hackamore.

Right now, I'm using it on my six-year old that needs a little bit of a check before a barrel but still needs the lift and guide around a barrel like a snaffle would provide. I can lift her shoulder with this bit and still reach down and pull her around with it if she needs more help. My team roping, horse-stealing boyfriend also heels off of the same horse using this, and it gives him enough pull to slide to a stop on the heeling side.

Update on the 2010 PRCA Season with Tana Poppino

After a rough 2009 season plagued by injuries, The Barrel Racing Blog's friend Tana Poppino is back on the rodeo road with two healthy horses . She's making a run for her third NFR qualification, and so far, she's starting out hot.

As she and her husband drove to a college rodeo to watch her son compete this weekend, Poppino told The Barrel Racing Blog that she won the Billings, Mont., PRCA NILE Rodeo aboard her bay, Amigo.

"Amigo is getting back go his pre-injury runs," Poppino said of the bay that took her to two NFRs.

She also hit the Prairie Circuit Finals , where she won round 1, was third in round two but knocked in round three to put her out of the average.

With Amigo, Poppino's knocked her second barrel twice this year, something that she said is very out of the ordinary.

"I'm going to have to learn from my mistakes," Poppino said. "I'm hitting my second going into it. When I'm sitting really good (to win an average) is when I seem to hit the second."

She's also been running Goose, her grey gelding, at jackpots to keep him sharp. He has to run at the WPRA World Finals in Tulsa, Okla., this weekend while Amigo takes a break before hitting the road hard in January.

"This is really about the only time of the year you can give them a good rest," Poppino said. "Hopefully they're going to be used a lot this coming year."

Keeping her horses healthy is key for Poppino. She regularly uses products from Total Health Enhancement, one of her sponsors. And by the way - our friends at On The Rodeo Road are giving away a FREE bag of the Daily Edge to one of their readers -  just comment on their blog with why you love your horse, and later this week they'll pick a winner!

Stick with The Barrel Racing Blog all year as we follow Tana Poppino throughout her run for the NFR this year!

Free Giveaway at On The Rodeo Road!

My good friends at On The Rodeo Road are really hooking their readers up with a great product! Total Health Enhancement's  Daily Edge - used by The Barrel Racing Blog 's good friend, NFR-qualifier Tana Poppino - helps maintain horses at top levels of performance.

Just visit On The Rodeo Road and leave a comment telling them why you love your horse so much. Then on November 12, the girls at On The Rodeo Road will select one lucky reader to get a free five-pound bag of the supplement! It's that easy!

Interview by On The Rodeo Road!

Earlier this week, my friends at On The Rodeo Road interviewed me about The Barrel Racing Blog and my background as a barrel racer. It's humbling to have such a great site interested in what I'm doing here with The Barrel Racing Blog. One of The Barrel Racing Blog's very first posts was a review of On The Rodeo Road!

Please check out everything else the girls at On The Rodeo Road are doing. They're following some top rodeo competitors like Ohio-native Amber Mostoller, and they provide videos and in-depth interviews with competitors. Plus, they've really become one of the best aggregates for rodeo news across the country! 

This Week's Barrel Racing Report - NBHA Worlds Results!

This week's Barrel Racing Report  has lots of results from the NBHA World Show, where Ohio's own Brad Shirey took home the 5th place check in the 1D Finals aboard Perky! Pennsylvania cowgirl Kayla Nace took home 12th place in the 2D on top of What's Up Hobby Doc, and Pennsylvania's Vickie Siesky, Shannan Eckenrode and Terry Grow placed in the 3D Finals. 

Special congrats to Terry Grow, who WON the 2nd Go of the Seniors and consistently placed throughout the World Show!

Ed Hardy Halters by BillieAnn Sexton

If you did not get to make it to the Congress to shop or if you did not find what you were looking for there, it's time to check out BillieAnn Sexton's hot line of halters made from Ed Hardy belts. Her custom halters add a rocker edge to the western world, with studs and conchos not used by other halter makers. She makes them in her free time on the way to rodeos, so she knows what barrel racers are looking for. Below, Sexton answers questions about her line and how to get a hold of one of these hot halters!

What tack do you offer? Just halters, or more?

When I find the time for fun I make halters and headstalls.

Where did you get the ideas for your halters?

I love the in-style, Ed Hardy line and the belts are really cool so I make the halters and headstalls from Ed Hardy belts.

When did you start making them?

June of 2009.

Where do your materials come from?

Ed Hardy Belts or Kippy Belts, a nylon halter, and "cool" conchos.

Where do you get your ideas?

Imagination, thinking out of the box.

Where do you sell your products?

I put pictures of the halters I made onto my FaceBook and many horse owners take a look.

Who buys this kind of stuff?

Any horse owner, not just rodeo people. 

Why are your halters different from other things on the market now?

They are not just crystals and conchos they have unique style from the Ed Hardy line.

How can an interested party get a hold of one of your products?

Add me on facebook or myspace, Billie Ann Sexton, or e-mail me, barrelracer24-7_nfr@hotmail.com 

Congrats to Penn., West Va., and Ohio Congress Placewinners!

Over the four days that the cloverleaf pattern dominated the Coliseum, Bert Thompson threw down the fastest time of any Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania cowgirl with a 15.243, winning the Amateur barrel racing aboard her bay, Shesa Hurricane Payday. In youth competition, Jurie Buchleitner ran the fastest time in any youth class out of Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania barrel racers with a 15.434 on the back of her black mare, Gordons Lena 234. 

For the full list of results, please visit the OQHA's website!

Junior Horse Barrel Racing 

1st place - Megan Yurko - Beea Stash of Money - 15.283 - Wheeling, West Va.

6th place - Danette Potter - Fast Wager - 15.783 - Cecil, Ohio

Senior Horse Barrel Racing 

5th place - Jurie Buchleitner - Gordan's Lena 234 - 15.431 - Creekside, Penn.

Amateur Barrel Racing 

1st place - Bert Thompson - Shesa Hurricane Payday - 15.243 - Mannington, West Va.

5th place - Travis Smith - Sticks Rolling Stones - 15.357 - Blanchester, Ohio

8th place - Jessica Ford - Teddy Terrific - 15.497 - Chillicothe, Ohio

10th place - Lori Harper - Jessies Missin Cash - 15.555 - Hermitage, Penn. 

Amateur Select Barrel Racing 

5th place - Leticia Powell - Qui Fire - 16.158 - Dillsburg, Penn.

6th place - Jimmy Hill - Haida Smokin Gun - 16.230 - New Milford, Penn.

7th place - Bill Burton - JBS Mickey Mouse - 16.259 - New Martinsville, West Va. 

Novice Amateur Barrel Racing 

1st place - Lori Harper - Jessies Missin Cash - 15.725 - Hermitage, Penn.

3rd place - Kylie Keslar - Honor My Lil Pistol - 15.736 - White, Penn.

4th place - Desiree Pesko - Quick Morning Dash - 15.845 - Minerva, Ohio

5th place - Patsy Lyall - RS Tuff Shadow - 15.873 - Zanesville, Ohio

Youth Barrel Racing 13 & Under 

1st place - Megan Yurko - Beea Stash of Money - 15.453 - Wheeling, West Va.

5th place - Taylor Howell - Easy to Strike - 15.878 - Arcanum, Ohio

6th place - Caitlin Marchese - Array of Echo - 15.886 - Monroeville, Penn.

7th place - Megan Yurko - Easy Go Ned Pepper - 15.887 - Wheeling, West Va. 

9th place - Collin Watson - Nik Can Do - 15.920 - Cable, Ohio

Youth Barrel Racing 14-18

2nd place - Jurie Buchleitner - Gordons Lena 234 - 15.434 - Creekside, Penn.

3rd place - Abigail Ringer - Missin Eudie - 15.583 - Hartville, Ohio

4th place - Tori Becker - Day Dreamin La Jolla - 15.764 - Pittsburgh, Penn.

9th place - Gabrielle Oder - LJS Poco Freckles - 15.893 - Hamilton, Ohio

Novice Youth Barrel Racing 13 & Under

1st place - Trate Brown - Midnight Rose Bud - 15.799 - Byesville, Ohio

2nd place - Zane Johnson - Ems Pretty Chick - 15.81 - Parkersburg, West Va. 

6th place - Megan Yurko - Beea Stash of Money - 16.035 - Wheeling, West Va.

7th place - Zane Johnson - Flying By Meyers - 16.067 - Parkersburg, West Va. 

8th place - Bailey Angelo - TDL Renes Rambo - 16.075 - Normalville, Penn.

Novice Youth Barrel Racing 14-18

1st place - Abigail Ringer - Missin Eudie - 15.735 - Hartville, Ohio

4th place - Stevie Young - Oh for a Jet - 15.824 - Barnesville, Ohio

6th place - Mia Shaffer - Bunch O Honey - 15.941 - Apollo, Penn.

8th place - Jesse Swink - Jai Alai Jessi - 16.053 - Acme, Penn. 

NYATT Barrel Racing 

1st place - Summer Reese - Robins Last Princess - 15.866 - New Richmond, Ohio

6th place - Jessica Detweiler - Happy All the Time - 16.679 - Lake Harmony, Penn.

9th place - Meranda Hayes - Dashaspeck - 16.756 - Kitts Hill, Ohio

In the Aftermath of the Congress...

After five days at the All-American Quarter Horse Congress in Columbus, Ohio, I am laying on my couch with a nasty sinus infection and a big hole in my bank account. After all of the money spent on things I didn't need, the voice lost from yelling so hard for friends and the weight gained from eating cinnamon roles, bourbon chicken and roast beef sundaes, I've started to think about why I really love the Congress so much. 

1. The Congress Bubble - With everything going on in the world and all of my passions overextended, it's wonderful to escape from it all and only worry about what draw my friends are in the youth and sweepstakes. When my biggest problem at the moment is what color gator boots to buy from Lagrange, life is good. 

2. The Memories - Pulling in to the Congress, the parking lot, barns and Coliseum look just the same as they did all of the years we hauled my trusty youth horse, Zippos Three Dee, or "Onyx," there from Pennsylvania in the middle of the night. Those were the best days of my life, hands down, and each year when I return I'm reminded of the "on-top-of-the-world" feeling that I had then. I remember my trainer, Ginny Bowman, making the experience all about Onyx and me, putting on my splint boots "just right" and waking me up at 2 a.m. to trudge through the rain to the warm-up pen. I remember all of pictures we took with my friends and family after the announced the Top Ten, and the pride I'd feel buying my Top Ten coat. Even more, it was the late nights running around on golf carts until all hours of the night, trying to find trouble because we couldn't get into the Corral, that made the trip even more exciting.

3. The Shopping - I save up all year to be able to buy what I want, and some of what I need, at the Congress. Nowhere else in Pennsylvania or Ohio can you spend so much money in one place on your horses. With every product imaginable, I am always able to make that dream Congress purchase. One year it was a Dale Chavez pleasure saddle, another year a Dale Martin barrel saddle, and the list goes on. 

4. The Food - While eating at the Congress can be a financial venture in itself, it's important to indulge at least once while you're there to get the full effect. The bourbon chicken, apple dumplings, cinnamon roles and roast beef sundaes are just a few of the fair-food delicacies. While it is impossible to eat anything without spending at least $6.50, one bite into the bourbon chicken and you won't regret a thing. 

5. The Reunion - Being plopped down out here in the middle of Southeastern Ohio, I miss my Pennsylvanian barrel racing family like nothing else. While we may see each other at one or two shows that I drive home for, rarely do we get to spend an entire five days together like we do at the Congress. We spend our time shopping because we know exactly one another's tastes, and we talk each other into spending the money we shouldn't. We have time to talk about everything we used to talk about, and in the end, the goodbyes are always impossible. 

6. The First Barrel - The money barrel at the Congress is the hardest to make of any pen I've ever, ever seen, and the split second a horse nails it perfectly, the rush of adrenaline even someone sitting in the stands feels is like no other. Nailing that first barrel at the Congress sets many horses up to have a perfect second barrel, so that in the end, they get a straight line to the hard-to-perfect Congress third barrel. The cloverleaf at the Congress separates the men from the boys, so to speak, and many great horses can never seem to clock there. 

Second Congress Update

With the sweepstakes getting ready to kick off, most of the ground issues that plagued barrel racers the first two days have been worked out. Even more, most have managed to figure out how to land the Congress's infamous first barrel. The second go of the sweeps saw some of the fastest runs of the week, with it seemed like nearly everybody landing somewhere in the 15s. After a bad fall in the first go, Ohio's Kelly Pitts clocked 15.4 to make it to the short go. Pennsylvania's Shana Simmons time of 15.3 also held her in place for the finals from the first go. Stay tuned for finals updates!

First Congress Update!

With the first day down at the All American Quarter Horse Congress for Ohio and Pennsylvania cowgirls and cowboys, the first barrel proved to be as elusive as always and the ground as slick as usual for this show.
The sweepstakes was difficult to watch at points when great horses and riders like Kelly Pitts and Stevie Young went down in painful fashion turning barrels. Still others struggled to turn the first barrel at all, as the monster run from the alleyway to the first made it tougher than most other pens.
Brett Monroe won the barrel race, and special congrats to West Sunbury, Pennsylvania's 13-year-old Shana Simmons for placing 3rd!

Weekend Review - IBRA/NBHA at Porchview Arena, Acme, Penn.

On one of the coldest days so far this fall, western Pennsylvania's barrel racers headed to Porchview Arena in Acme, Penn., to show down in one of the last barrel races before many head to the All American Quarter Horse Congress. For many of the youth, the pressure was on to have one of the last good runs before the Congress. In the open, though, it would prove to be a pee-wee's show, as Julie Siesky, the leading Penn-Ohio pee-wee, set a pace atop her mother's retired barrel horse early in the night that held throughout the 70 horses in the Open 4-D. 

What: IBRA/NBHA Barrel Race, 3D Youth, 3D Open, 4D Open, 3D Masters

Who: Barrel racers and pole benders from the Tri-state area, many IBRA members

Added Money: $300 added in the 4D, $25 added in the Youth

The Ground: The major complaint of the show was that the ground was not sticky enough for some horses that really needed to get down deep in it. It did seem rather loose, but no major falls or accidents happened because of the ground. It was pretty safe. The fastest time of the day was run in the Masters, with Roger Bracken cracking a 15.2, but nothing was faster. 

Overall: Some great horses ran some great times at this show. It was great to see Julie Siesky win the open with a 15.4, as later her mother said this was her first 1D check ever. A lot of people ran in the 15s, showing the consistency of the competitors in the area. 

The weather put a damper on the fun, and the mud outside the arena got lots of splint boots filthy. Parking became kind of a nightmare as many people were parked in because those who pulled in later were trying to avoid parking in the field and getting stuck in the mud, although the mud in the fields ended up not being too bad. 

Porchview's show committee had some great warm soup and coffee to keep everyone warm, though. Some vendors also showed up to sell sparkly tack, jewelry and purses. 

Part Five with BillieAnn Sexton

A lot more goes into each run than just the 15 seconds or so in the arena. Every cowgirl has her favorite saddle, her favorite traveling partners and some terrible stories from on the rodeo road to share. Below, BillieAnn Sexton talks about the "extras" that go into each rodeo. 

Extras

What type of splint boots do you use?

Professional's Choice on the front. Polo wraps on the back.

What type of saddle do you ride?

My favorite is my Ken Raye/Tami Purcell. I also love my Martin/Sherry Cervi saddle. 

What kind of truck do you pull your trailer with?

Ford, 450

Who do you travel with?

Bobby Abernathy, Daniel Robertson, and Cody Miller is usually the crew.

What's the worst rodeo experience of your life?

In Memphis, Tenn., in the barrels I was running home from my run, and at high school rodeos they never keep a open alley, which my horse going to rodeos is not use to a close gate in the arena. So "Sassy" realizes  the gate was closed and crow-hops right, then left, I was not prepared for that my hand was still on my whip not the saddle horn, and it slingshots me into the bucking shoots. I chipped a few teeth, got knocked out, had a severe concussion and got a piece of my lip ripped off. That morning and afternoon on a snowy Memphis day was not to exciting. On the bright side, I placed, and that night I was in the performance in the breakaway roping. Although I was told by the doctor not to ride, I won it. 

What will you not leave home without?

Magnets and treats for the horses, and also, my phone.

How often do you give your horses time off?

Since I have a few they get weekends to stay home from running, but I keep them exercised. 

How often do you take time off yourself?

Maybe a day out of a month? I love what I do, so I am not "in need" of time off.

What are your future goals? College, PRCA, etc?

I turn 18 March 5th, I am going to buy my Pro permit. I hope to make the Circuit Finals this year and in two or three years make a run for the National Finals Rodeo. That is a lot to ask for, but its been my dream since I was 10 and I'm sticking to it! I am not going to college rodeo, I'm going to take college classes online, one day I would like to own my own practice in equine embryo transferring. 

Part Four with BillieAnn Sexton

Whether she is warming up for the IFR or getting her breakaway horse ready for a local rodeo, BillieAnn Sexton keeps her warmup consistent with each of her horses. Below, she discusses her routines on the rodeo circuit and the mentality she tries to maintain while living the rodeo life. She also talks about what products keep her horses running great each weekend. 

Outside the Pen

What is your warm-up like?

Long trotting and making the horse be soft and supple by moving it over with my leg, bending at the poll, and getting there rear end under them.

Do you have any rituals that you never break?

I use to have them bad, call me crazy but when I was little I could not pick out the color of the rubber bands to put in my horses mane, I would just use what ever color I picked first and put it in, or I would call it bad luck for myself. I have grown out of the superstitions.

How early do you like to get to a rodeo?

At least an hour before, when we arrive I want enough rest time for my horse to perform, hauling is hard on all horses. As soon as we arrive I water them and put there magnets on them unless they are already on them. 

Who do you look towards for advice?

My mom, when I get down on myself for messing up under pressure she will always give me the best advice.

Who else's runs do you always watch?

At the IPRA's, Laura Kerley, her and her horse Jackie are such a team.

What supplements do you use on your horses?

SeaBuck, it keeps my horses shiny and healthy while also preventing from ulcers. I also give them a shot of Adequine, which is a joint supplement every two weeks.

What do you feed your horses?

SafeChoice.

What veterinary practices do you use most often?

I will always stretch my horses necks with a treat to both sides, and stretch there legs. At a walk, zig-zagging down a hill builds there stifle muscles. I love cold liniments or wrapping my horse in poultice for trailer rides. If my horse's legs are swollen a little from a trailer ride or the blood circulation is not flowing enough I will run cold water over there legs for 20 minutes and then put magnets on them. 

What rules do you play by with your horses? What drugs will you use and what drugs won't you use?

I give a shot of Adequan to all the performance horses every two weeks, it is a joint supplement. Also if I know I am competing at a big rodeo I will give a shot of Legend 72 hours out. Also Banamine is a great muscle relaxer if one my horses feel horse.

What's the best part about your riding?

Spending time with my horses and becoming a "team" with them.

What do you struggle with riding-wise?

Mainly its in my mind, I tend to think to much. 

Are there any head games you play with yourself that can mess you up?

Yes, many, pressure is something I been working on for a long long time now, if the odds go for me to win a average by the time I make the short go, I won't. I start thinking about it way to much instead of going out there and riding hard, I will safety up, which leads to mess up. Go hard, EVERY TIME! Don't learn the hard way, like I have.

Part Three with BillieAnn Sexton - In the Arena

With more experience in the rodeo pen than women twice her age, BillieAnn Sexton has figured out how to win in some of the toughest setups the IPRA has to offer. She has run everywhere from Marietta, Ga., to St. Tite, Quebec, and she has done a lot more than just barrel race. The cowgirl knows her way around the roping pen and can catch a calf in breakaway as well. 

In the Rodeo Pen

What type of alleyway/entrance do you prefer?

I like a narrow alley way that is centered with the third barrel but any alley way were the third barrel is in sight for line up is fine.

What are you thinking running towards the first barrel?

I try to keep my mind clear and feel what I need to do at the moment, make a good run.

What are you thinking running home?

It kinda depends on the run I feel like I made. Good run I am thinking those good, sweet thoughts. Run with a few mistakes, I am anxious to hear my time. If I hit barrel I am thinking about what I should had done differently. 

How do you approach a barrel (e.g. big pocket, straight, etc.)?

I learned to make my "spot" about 4 feet over to the side of the barrel, enough room to where my horse can shape and snap back around the barrel quickly. 

What do you worry about most while rodeoing (e.g. the ground, the weather, the arena size, the competition, etc. etc.?)

I try not to worry about that to much. I do have a few barrel horses so some do better in different arena conditions then others. If I know the size of the pattern and whether its hard or deep ground I will pick and choose the horse to take.

What type of shoes do you have on your rodeo horses?

Sassy, Dora, and Barracuda I have rims on the front and regular on the back. I put the rims on them for traction. Brownie I have 2 degree wedges on his front because he does not grow much heel.

What type of ground do you prefer?

Depends on the horse, this year I have mainly taken Sassy and Barracuda, Sassy loves hard trashy ground and Barracuda works the best in deep ground.

What size of pen do you prefer?

The pen size doesn't matter to me either it will just pick the horse I want to run at that rodeo. 

Do you like to run in slack or the performance, and why?

Performance, I like the crowd, the loud music, bright lights, just the whole excitement in the atmosphere. 

Why did you decide to run the IPRA?

Its a wonderful association and its a great place to season myself before I turn 18 and start Pro rodeoing.

Why do you run rodeos instead of barrel races?

I use to go to a lot of big super shows and also rodeos, but I now mainly go to rodeos because I like traveling from rodeo to rodeo instead of being at one place all week. The rodeo's are a lot more exciting, but I do also enjoy going to barrel races.

What type of horse do you think makes the best rodeo horse?

A rodeo horse has to be very seasoned and can handle all types of ground. Rodeo ground is not always good. I like horses that are bred run and cow so they have the mind, but also have enough run to win.

What is your favorite IPRA rodeo?

St. Tite, Quebec, Canada.

What is your horse's cue to turn a barrel (i.e. lift, leg pressure, check, etc.)?

When I get to my "spot" I sit down grab for the saddle horse with outside hand, lift my horse with inside rein and bump with inside leg witch picks there rib cage up and shapes them.

What is your most common mistake?

Wanting to sit down and go for saddle horn before my "spot." Instead of drive, drive, drive all the way to my spot then sit down, lift, and shape.